# NTSB SEA79FTI15: Scorpion II, N133RW, Belgrade, MT, May 21, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 21, 1979
- Place: Belgrade, MT · BELGRADE, MT
- Location: 45.7827° N, 111.1783° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Belgrade, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7827&lon=-111.1783&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 143479
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA79FTI15
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FTI15

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1335  79/5/21  NR.BELGRADE,MT        SCORPION II         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 23, 190
        TIME - 2030                    N133RW              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, ALL IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CHURCHILL,MT                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPERLY SERVICED AIRCRAFT (OWNER-PILOT)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL CONTAMINATION-EXCLUSIVE OF WATER IN FUEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON WATER
        REMARKS- CRASHED IN RIVER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N133RW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N133RW-2011-02-17), registration cancelled 2011-02-17, S/N 2552, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCORPION II
- Registry model: [Molendyk SCORPION 133](https://openairdocs.org/model/molendyk-scorpion-133) (registry code 13025K5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19790521013569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790521013569A), May 21, 1979: Amtrrw SCORPION1, Belgrade 95 Mi, MT, Substantial damage. Engine stopped due to fuel contamination. Crashed in river. Home fuel storage a factor.

## Other investigations on N133RW (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN83LTI01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LTI01), Oct 3, 1982: Scorpion 133 (N133RW), Manhattan, MT, substantial damage

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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