# NTSB SEA07CA167: Rallison Rotorway 162F, N203XR, Logan, UT, June 18, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 18, 2007, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Logan, UT - Coordinates: 41.712776, -111.841941 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7128&lon=-111.8419&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 66008 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA167 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66008/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA167 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power due to the pilot inadvertently deactivating the rotor drive clutch assembly. A contributing factor was the downhill terrain condition where he landed, which exceeded the slope limitations of the helicopter. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - rotor drive system,clutch assembly - disengaged (cause) - miscellaneous equipment - inadvertent deactivation, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - autorotation - performed, pilot in command - Hard landing, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor) - slope limitations - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot was maneuvering at low altitude to take pictures of his neighbor's business. Suddenly the helicopter's engine "raced free of load", the needles split and he began an autorotation. The aircraft landed with its right skid up slope, and the helicopter rolled onto its left side. The pilot's postaccident examination of the control panel revealed that he had inadvertently deactivated the aircraft's electric clutch by striking its overhead toggle switch with his head. The helicopter's main rotor blades, one tail rotor blade, right landing skid, left horizontal stabilizer, and the tail boom were bent. The landing skid on the left side collapsed. ## Factual narrative The pilot was maneuvering at low altitude to take pictures of his neighbor's business. Suddenly the helicopter's engine "raced free of load", the needles split and he began an autorotation. The aircraft landed with its right skid up slope, and the helicopter rolled onto its left side. The pilot's postaccident examination of the control panel revealed that he had inadvertently deactivated the aircraft's electric clutch by striking its overhead toggle switch with his head. The helicopter's main rotor blades, one tail rotor blade, right landing skid, left horizontal stabilizer, and the tail boom were bent. The landing skid on the left side collapsed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N203XR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N203XR-2013-08-27), registration cancelled 2013-08-27, S/N 6188, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rallison Rotorway 162F - Registry model: [Rallison Richard D ROTORWAY 162F](https://openairdocs.org/model/rallison-richard-d-rotorway-162f) (registry code 056148B) (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: 6188 - Engines: Rotorway 162R 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Richard D. Rallison - Registered owner: Richard D. Rallison - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: PRIV, Logan, UT - Destination: PRIV ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total, 235 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: LGU ## 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 20070618009439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070618009439A), Jun 18, 2007: Amtr ROTORWAY162F, Logan, UT, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft clutch was disengaged accidentally by pilot and autorotation was successful, and after landing on slope crushing a skid, aircraft rolled over. 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.