# NTSB NYC90DNE04: Rotorway RW 152, Southwick, MA, August 4, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1990, 13:04 local (18:04 UTC)
- Place: Southwick, MA
- Location: 42.0548° N, 72.7704° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Southwick, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0548&lon=-72.7704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36511
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90DNE04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36511/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90DNE04

## Probable cause

A HARD LANDING DUE TO IMPROPER USE OF THE ROTORCRAFT FLIGHT CONTROLS, AND THE DECISION TO PUT FUEL IN ONLY ONE SIDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - refueling - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,skid assembly - overload (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING HOVER FLIGHT AND LANDED TO REFUEL. HE PUT FUEL IN ONLY ONE SIDE AND THEN TOOK OFF AGAIN. HE FELT A LATERAL IMBALANCE AND MADE A HARD LANDING SETTING THE HELICOPTER BACK DOWN. THE RIGHT SKID COLLAPSED AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROTORWAY RW 152
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 41820
- Airframe hours: 21
- Engines: ROTORWAY RW 152 152 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Leonard T. Forish

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,962 total, 7 in this make and model, 1,721 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point -0 °F

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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