# NTSB SEA82DYA06: Rotorway Scorpion TOO, N222RP, Jerome, ID, March 25, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1982, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Jerome, ID
- Coordinates: 43.519931, -112.270599 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5199&lon=-112.2706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71196
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA82DYA06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71196/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DYA06

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, taxi - aerial
  - weather condition - high density altitude
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, taxi - aerial

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS FAMILIARIZING HIMSELF WITH THE HOME BUILT HELICOPTER. AFTER HOVERING IN ONE GENERAL AREA FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES, HE DECIDED TO HOVER TO AN OPEN AREA BY CROSSING A FENCE. HE STATED THAT HE ENTERED TRANSLATIONAL LIFT AT ABOUT 20 KNOTS WHILE HOVERING FORWARD. AT THIS TIME, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN ROLLING TO THE LEFT. FULL RIGHT CYCLIC FAILED TO CORRECT THE ROLL. THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO ROLL LEFT AND STRUCK THE GROUND WITH THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE AND LEFT SKID. FOR SOLO FLIGHT, THE SHIPS BATTERY MUST BE REPOSITIONED IN THE NOSE, AND LEAD WEIGHTS MUST BE ATTACHED TO THE RIGHT SKID FOR PROPER WEIGHT AND BALANCE CONTROL. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD MADE THOSE ALTERATIONS PRIOR TO FLIGHT. AN ON-SITE INVESTIGATION INDICATED THAT THE BATTERY AND LEAD WEIGHTS WERE THROWN FREE OF THE HELICOPTER. INSUFFICIENT DATA WAS AVAILABLE TO ASCERTAIN THE AIRCRAFT'S CENTER-OF-GRAVITY AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE FLIGHT CONTROLS HAD RETAINED THEIR CONTINUITY. THE ELEVATION WAS ABOUT 3700 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N222RP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N222RP-2012-08-10), registration cancelled 2012-08-10, S/N 2508, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROTORWAY SCORPION TOO (SCORPION T)
- Registry model: [Palmer Robert L SCORPION TOO](https://openairdocs.org/model/palmer-robert-l-scorpion-too) (registry code 13025V1) (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: 2508
- Airframe hours: 27
- Engines: ROTORWAY TRW-133 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Douglas J. Mcfall
- Registered owner: Douglas J. Mcfall
- Departed: HALF WAY RANCH, ID
- Destination: HALF WAY RANCH, ID
- Airport: Half Way Ranch

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 349 total, 5 in this make and model, 227 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820325005809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820325005809A), Mar 25, 1982: Amtrrw SCORPION2, Jerome, ID, Substantial damage. Lost control during transition from hover to air taxi. Possible failure to change ballast for solo flight.

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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