# NTSB SEA07LA095: Diemert/Rotorway Exec 162 F, N173ST, Roseburg, OR, April 8, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 8, 2007, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Roseburg, OR - Coordinates: 43.238609, -123.355834 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2386&lon=-123.3558&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO, Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 65544 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07LA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65544/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA095 ## Probable cause a total loss of engine power due to the failure of the primary and secondary electronic control units (ECU's) within the engine's Fully Automated Digital Electronic Control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - ignition system - failure,total (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - autorotation - performed, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - fence ## Analysis Shortly after departure, the amateur-built experimental-category helicopter experienced a loss of engine power and the pilot initiated an autorotation to a nearby field. During the auto rotational landing, the helicopter impacted terrain and subsequently slid into a fence. The pilot stated that as the engine lost power, he noticed the number one Fully Automated Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) light went off and that the secondary FADEC did not function. Examination of the FADEC Electronic Control Units (ECU) revealed that there was a discontinuity of the "L3" ferrite inductor on both the number one and two ECU circuit boards. The reason for both failures was undetermined. ## Factual narrative On April 8, 2007, about 1400 Pacific daylight time, an amateur-built experimental-category Diemert/Rotorway International Exec 162 F helicopter, N173ST, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing subsequent to an in-flight loss of engine power approximately 5 miles south of the Roseburg Regional Airport, Roseburg, Oregon. The pilot/owner of the helicopter was not injured. The helicopter was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The pilot's planned destination was the Roseburg Airport. No flight plan was filed for the local flight. In a written statement, the pilot reported that after takeoff, he climbed to an altitude of 30 - 40 feet above ground level (agl). As he advanced the cyclic forward to gain airspeed, the engine lost power and he immediately initiated an autorotation. Subsequently, the helicopter impacted the ground and slid into a fence resulting in substantial damage. The pilot stated that as the engine lost power, he noticed the number one Fully Automated Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) light went off and that the secondary FADEC did not function. The pilot added that the loss of engine power was the fifth occurrence of the same nature. Examination of the FADEC Engine Control Units (ECU) at the facilities of Electro-Sim of Tempe, Arizona under supervision of a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that there was a discontinuity of the "L3" ferrite inductor on both the number one and two ECU circuit boards. The Electro-Sim representative stated that both ferrite inductors are digital grounds and a simultaneous failure of the inductors would cause the engine to shut down immediately; and should only one of the "L3" ferrite inductors fail, "the engine would continue to operate, but the sensor/annunciator panel would become inoperative." The reason for the failure was undetermined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N173ST](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N173ST-2008-05-19), registration cancelled 2008-05-19, S/N 6721, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Diemert/Rotorway Exec 162 F - Registry model: [Diemert James G EXEC 162-F](https://openairdocs.org/model/diemert-james-g-exec-162-f) (registry code 05619A2) (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: 6721 - Airframe hours: 98 - Engines: Rotorway R1-162F 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James G. Diemert - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 1, 2007, 7.3 hours before - Departed: Roseburg, OR - Destination: KRGB, Roseburg, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; student, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 897 total, 78 in this make and model, 913 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: KRGB, 5 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 20070408005429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070408005429A), Apr 8, 2007: Amtr EXEC162F, Roseburg, OR, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot reported #1 fadec failed shortly after takeoff from a backlot of an industrial park, and #2 automatic backup fadec did not respond. Engine lost… 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.