# NTSB NYC95DNC01: Wyman Scorpion II, N65562, Cornish Flat, NH, December 28, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: December 28, 1994, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Cornish Flat, NH
- Location: 43.4973° N, 72.2795° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cornish Flat, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4973&lon=-72.2795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38840
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95DNC01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38840/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95DNC01

## Probable cause

PARTIAL FAILURE AND SUBSEQUENT PARTIAL SEPARATION OF SKIN ON THE UNDERSIDE OF ONE MAIN ROTOR BLADE, WHICH RESULTED IN A SEVERE VIBRATION, IN-FLIGHT LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL, AND IMPACT WITH THE GROUND DURING AN ATTEMPTED AUTOROTATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - rotor system,main rotor blade skin - failure,partial (cause)
  - rotor system,main rotor blade skin - separation (cause)
  - rotor system,main rotor - vibration (cause)
  - aircraft control - not possible
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE KIT BUILT HELICOPTER WAS ON FINAL APPROACH, WHEN THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A 'SEVERE' VIBRATION. HE ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION; HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER ROTATED 180 DEGREES, AND STRUCK THE GROUND TRAVELING BACKWARDS. THE LOWER SURFACE OF ONE MAIN ROTOR BLADE HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIP TO WITHIN 30 INCHES OF THE HUB. THE ALUMINUM BLADES HAD A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 51 HOURS AND HAD BEEN CONSTRUCTED BY THE KIT BUILDER.

## Factual narrative

On December 28, 1994, at 1400 eastern standard time, a homebuilt, experimental, Scorpion II, helicopter, N65662, was destroyed during a forced landing, at Cronish Flat, New Hampshire.  The student pilot, Curtis Wyman, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight which operated under 14 CFR Part 91.

The helicopter was on approach to a landing in an open field, when a vibration, which the pilot described as severe, developed.  The pilot attempted to make an autorotation;  however, he was unable to maintain directional control of the helicopter.  It rotated 180 degrees, and struck the ground while traveling backwards.

Examination of the helicopter revealed that the lower blade surface had separated, from the tip to within 30 inches of the hub.  The aluminum blades were constructed by the owner as part of the kit.  They had 50.9 hours on them since being built.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65562](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65562-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N 110749, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WYMAN SCORPION II (SCORPION I)
- Registry model: [Wyman Curtis M SR SCORPION II](https://openairdocs.org/model/wyman-curtis-m-sr-scorpion-ii) (registry code 13025GW) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotorway RW152](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotorway-rw152) (registry code 55006, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 110749
- Engines: Rotorway RW-152G 152 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Curtis Wyman
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F

## 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 19941228048329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941228048329A), Dec 28, 1994: Amtrrw SCORPION2, Cornish Flat, NH, Substantial damage. Main rotors failed on landing approach. Attempted autorotation. Rotated 180 degrees. Impacted ground backwards.

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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