# NTSB SEA95LA129: Sagerser Rotorway Executive, N336CS, Enumclaw, WA, June 25, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1995, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Enumclaw, WA
- Coordinates: 47.099658, -121.600692 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0997&lon=-121.6007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42173
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42173/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA129

## Probable cause

A POWER SURGE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, AND THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE DURING THE AUTOROTATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, emergency landing after takeoff
  - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 300-400 FT, THE ENGINE SURGED. HE REDUCED COLLECTIVE AND EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION, AND STATED THAT HE SHUT OFF THE MAGNETOS AND ATTEMPTED AN UNSUCCESSFUL RESTART. THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DURING THE HARD LANDING WITH SOME FORWARD VELOCITY. THE REASON FOR THE POWER SURGE WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Factual narrative

On June 25, 1995, approximately 0930 Pacific daylight time, a Sagerser Rotorway Executive helicopter, N336CS, was substantially damaged during a hard landing following a precautionary autorotation to a grass field near Enumclaw, Washington. The 75 year old airline transport pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91 and originated from the Flying H private airstrip, Enumclaw, Washington, approximately 10 minutes before the accident.      The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, and while climbing through 300-400 feet above ground, the engine surged. He stated that he reduced collective and executed an autorotation landing to a grass field. During the flare the helicopter touched down hard and with some forward velocity. The pilot reported approximately 55 hours in the aircraft over the previous year and a half and indicated he had not flown the aircraft for about a month.      During a telephone conversation with an FAA inspector, the pilot reported that the power was increasing so he shut off the magnetos, then tried to unsuccessfully restart the engine. The reason for the power surge was not determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N336CS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N336CS-1995-10-06), registration cancelled 1995-10-06, S/N 3448 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SAGERSER ROTORWAY EXECUTIVE (ROTORWAY E)
- Registry model: [Sagerser James A ROTORWAY EXECUTIVE](https://openairdocs.org/model/sagerser-james-a-rotorway-executive) (registry code 13015KC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3448
- Airframe hours: 65
- Engines: ROTORWAY RW-152 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hill, Roy, A. C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 28, 1995, 20 hours before
- Departed: WN87, BUCKLEY, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 35,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SEA, 18 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 19950625014909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950625014909A), Jun 25, 1995: Amtr ROTORWAYEXEC, Enumclaw, WA, Substantial damage. Power surge after takeoff. Indicated overspeed. Shut down. No restart. Impacted hard on auto landing. Surge unknown

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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