# NTSB NYC06CA172: Rotorway 162-F, N549AB, Brookhaven, NY, June 16, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 16, 2006, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Brookhaven, NY
- Coordinates: 40.821945, -72.866943
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8219&lon=-72.8669&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Farmingdale
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64061
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64061/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA172

## Probable cause

The student pilot  inadvertently allowing the skids to contact the ground resulting in dynamic rollover.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover - in ground effect
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - dynamic rollover - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover - in ground effect
  - airport facilities,helipad

## Analysis

The pilot of an experimental Rotorway 162-F was practicing hovering when the left skid of the helicopter made contact with the helipad, the helicopter rolled to the left, and the main rotor blades struck the ground.  The student pilot stated that "I was hovering at about 2 inches which had the skids too close to the ground for my ability."  At 1256 EDT, 26 minutes after the accident, the reported wind on the field was 310 degrees at 9 knots.

## Factual narrative

The solo student pilot of an experimental Rotorway 162-F was practicing hovering when the left skid of the helicopter made contact with the helipad, the helicopter rolled to the left, and the main rotor blades struck the ground.  The student pilot stated that "I was hovering at about 2 inches which had the skids too close to the ground for my ability."  At 1256 EDT, 26 minutes after the accident, the reported wind on the field was 310 degrees at 9 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N549AB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N549AB), registered now, S/N 6723 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Rotorway 162-F
- Registry model: [Badalamenti Anthony V ROTORWAY 162-F](https://openairdocs.org/model/badalamenti-anthony-v-rotorway-162-f) (registry code 05620K1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 6723
- Airframe hours: 9
- Engines: Rotorway RI 162F 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, May 1, 2006, 6 hours before
- Departed: KHWV, Brookhaven, NY
- Destination: KHWV, Brookhaven, NY
- Airport: KHWV, Brookhaven Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2005; flight hours: 166 total, 12 in this make and model, 98 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observed at: KHWV

## 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 20060616031259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060616031259A), Jun 16, 2006: Amtr ROTORWAY162F, Shirley, NY, Substantial damage. (-23) On 06/16/2006, at approximately 1230 hours EST this PIC was conducting hover checks at or below five (5) feet AGL, to this experimental homebuilt…

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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