# NTSB MKC87LA096: Rotorway Executive, N4891H, Gerald, MO, April 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1987, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Gerald, MO
- Coordinates: 38.389526, -91.330528 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3895&lon=-91.3305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34375
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34375/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA096

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - ignition system - loose (cause)
  - engine assembly - disabled (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - level off - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - uphill

## Analysis

THE STU PIC WAS SOLO ON A X-COUNTRY FLT WHEN THE ENG BACKFIRED. THE STU ENTERED AUTOROTATION WITH LOW ROTOR RPM WHICH ACCELERATED THE DESCENT RATE. THE STU FLARED BEFORE TOUCHDOWN BUT DID NOT LEVEL THE HELO IN TIME TO LAND. THE TAILBOOM STRUCK THE GND AND THE HELO ROTATED ON ITS SIDE. THE STU STATED THAT THE LNDG SITE HE HAD CHOSEN CONSISTED OF SLOPING TERRAIN. THE STU STATED THAT HE FLARED AND THE TAILBOOM STRUCK THE UPSLOPING TERRAIN. THE STU STATED THAT HAD HE LEVELED OFF AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME HE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL. THE ENG INSP REVEALED THAT THE ENG TIMING BELT HAD SLIPPED, EFFECTIVELY DISABLING THE ENG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4891H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4891H-1994-08-03), registration cancelled 1994-08-03, S/N 3078 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROTORWAY EXECUTIVE
- Registry model: [Jacquin Harvey J ROTORWAY EXEC](https://openairdocs.org/model/jacquin-harvey-j-rotorway-exec) (registry code 13017CA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3078
- Airframe hours: 106
- Engines: ROTORWAY RW-145 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harvey J. Jacquin
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: WASHINGTON, MO
- Destination: BLAND, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 106 total, 106 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 6 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: STL, 51 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870428012719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870428012719A), Apr 28, 1987: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, Gerald, MO, Substantial damage. The engine failed and the helicopter rolled over on landing. The timing belt slipped for unknown reasons.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.