# NTSB SEA04LA015: Schmitt Exec 162F, N6463S, Prosser, WA, November 6, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 6, 2003, 15:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Prosser, WA - Coordinates: 46.212223, -119.796112 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2122&lon=-119.7961&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58302 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA015 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58302/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA015 ## Probable cause The student pilot's abrupt application of excessive collective and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the student. Contributing factors were the ditch and low rotor RPM. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - collective - abrupt, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown - rotor rpm - low (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis While on an instructional flight, the flight instructor demonstrated a takeoff from a slope to the student pilot (owner) and then gave control of the rotorcraft to the student to execute a similar maneuver. The first attempt was aborted and the maneuver was re-initiated. On the second try the student rolled the rotorcraft to a level attitude but then failed to neutralize cyclic before attempting to liftoff. The student then abruptly applied collective and the rotorcraft began rolling left rapidly, lifting off and entering an immediate left rotation about five feet above ground. The instructor took control of the rotorcraft and attempted to regain directional control. He did not reduce throttle as the rotorcraft was over a ditch, which he did not want to land in. Without a throttle reduction the rotorcraft continued to rotate through four revolutions before RPM had decayed to an extent that sustained flight was no longer possible. The rotorcraft then touched down clear of the ditch while still rotating and immediately rolled onto its left side. ## Factual narrative On November 6, 2003, approximately 1515 Pacific standard time, a homebuilt Schmitt (Rotorway) Exec 162F rotorcraft, N6463S, owned/operated by a non-rotorcraft rated commercial pilot (student) crashed during a loss of control on liftoff at the Prosser airport, Prosser, Washington. The rotorcraft, which was being flown by the student who was accompanied by a rotorcraft flight instructor, sustained substantial damage. Neither pilot was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was instructional, was operated under 14CFR91, and originated from a site approximately three nautical miles north-northwest of the Prosser airport. The flight instructor reported that after demonstrating a takeoff from a slope, the owner (student pilot) was given control so that he could practice the same maneuver. The first liftoff did not feel right to the instructor and he had the student set the down-slope skid back on the deck and retry the maneuver. The instructor stated that the second attempt was initially more successful but as the rotorcraft reached a level attitude the student failed to neutralize cyclic before attempting to liftoff. The student then suddenly applied collective and the rotorcraft began to roll left, rapidly lifting off and entering an immediate left rotation about five feet above ground. The instructor took control of the rotorcraft and attempted to regain directional control. He did not reduce throttle as the rotorcraft was over a ditch, which he did not want to land in. Without a throttle reduction the rotorcraft continued to rotate through four revolutions before RPM had decayed to an extent that sustained flight was no longer possible. The rotorcraft then touched down clear of the ditch while still rotating and immediately rolled onto its left side. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6463S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6463S-2008-05-12), registration cancelled 2008-05-12, S/N 6463, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schmitt (Rotorway) Exec 162F - Registry model: [Schmitt Andrew L EXEC 162 F](https://openairdocs.org/model/schmitt-andrew-l-exec-162-f) (registry code 05608YT) (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: 6463 - Airframe hours: 22 - Engines: Rotorway 162F 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Schmitt, Andrew L. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 21, 2003, 22 hours before - Departed: S40, Prosser, WA - Airport: S40, Prosser ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 22; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 21, 2003; seat: right; flight hours: 611 total, 104 in this make and model, 553 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 28; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.37 inHg - Observed at: PSC, 24 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 20031106028469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031106028469A), Nov 6, 2003: Amtr EXEC162F, Prosser, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) The flight instructor was giving flight instruction on slope landings to his student. The instructor demonstrated the maneuver and then passed the… 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.