# NTSB NYC06CA110: Helo Werks HX-1 Wasp, N636WP, Hampton Roads, VA, May 6, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 6, 2006, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Hampton Roads, VA
- Coordinates: 36.779998, -76.44889
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7800&lon=-76.4489&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Richmond, VA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63640
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63640/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA110

## Probable cause

The inadvertent activation of the helicopter manufacturer's improperly located, unguarded fuel shutoff switch.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, landing
  - fuel system,fuel shutoff - activated (cause)
  - installation - improper, manufacturer (cause)
  - fuel system,fuel shutoff - not safetied (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

During a flight test of the experimental helicopter, the pilot inadvertently shut off the fuel supply to the engine while flaring to land, approximately 15 feet above the ground. The helicopter impacted the ground tail first, the landing gear cross tubes collapsed and broke at the fuselage attach points, and the main rotor struck the tail boom. Examination of the helicopter revealed that the fuel shut off switch was unguarded and mounted on the cyclic.

## Factual narrative

During a flight test of the experimental helicopter, the pilot inadvertently shut off the fuel supply to the engine while flaring to land, approximately 15 feet above the ground. The helicopter impacted the ground tail first, the landing gear cross tubes collapsed and broke at the fuselage attach points, and the main rotor struck the tail boom. Examination of the helicopter revealed that the fuel shut off switch was unguarded and mounted on the cyclic.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N636WP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N636WP-2009-03-11), registration cancelled 2009-03-11, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Helo Werks HX-1 Wasp
- Registry model: [Helo Werks HX-1 WASP](https://openairdocs.org/model/helo-werks-hx-1-wasp) (registry code 05621B7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 001
- Engines: Airesearch JFS-100-13A 90 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Flight test, Part 91
- Registered owner: Anthony D. Pena
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 1, 2006
- Departed: PVG, Hampton Roads, VA
- Destination: PVG, Hampton Roads, VA
- Airport: PVG, Hampton Roads Executive

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; injuries: serious; private; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear; flight hours: 150 total, 1 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observed at: SFQ, 9 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 20060506023009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060506023009A), May 6, 2006: Helowe HX1WASP, Portmouth, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot was hovering nose high into the wind, about 20 feet AGL, when he mistakenly hit the control stick mounted fuel valve shut-off toggle switch,…

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.

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