# NTSB WPR12CA294: Omlin Robert G Exec 162F Rotorway, N385AR, Quincy, WA, July 5, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 4, 2012, 17:09 local (Jul 5, 2012, 00:09 UTC) - Place: Quincy, WA - Coordinates: 47.170726, -119.799331 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1707&lon=-119.7993&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 84198 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA294 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84198/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84198 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA294 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to ensure that a flag attached to the landing skid was properly secured, which resulted in its in-flight separation and contact with the tail rotor. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Omlin Robert G EXEC 162F ROTORWAY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=05628OG), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Loading](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011500): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Omlin Robert G EXEC 162F ROTORWAY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011500/cases.md?model=05628OG), [All aircraft, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) (defining event); cases with it: [Omlin Robert G EXEC 162F ROTORWAY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=05628OG), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Omlin Robert G EXEC 162F ROTORWAY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05628OG), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, before departure, he attached a 3-foot by 4-foot American flag to the landing skids of the helicopter. Following an uneventful takeoff, he climbed to an altitude of about 200 feet above ground level. Shortly thereafter, the flag disconnected from the skids and impacted the tail rotor. The pilot initiated an autorotation to a nearby field. Examination of the helicopter by the pilot revealed that about half of the tail boom and tail rotor assembly had separated. The pilot reported that before the flag separated, no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter existed that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that prior to departure he attached a three-foot by four-foot American flag to the landing skids of the helicopter. Following an uneventful takeoff, he climbed to an altitude of about 200 feet above ground level. Shortly thereafter, the flag disconnected from the skids and impacted the tail rotor. The pilot initiated an autorotation to a nearby field. Examination of the helicopter by the pilot revealed that about half of the tail boom and tail rotor assembly was separated. The pilot reported that prior to the flag separating, no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures existed with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N385AR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N385AR), registered now, S/N 8005, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: OMLIN ROBERT G EXEC 162F ROTORWAY - Registry model: [Omlin Robert G EXEC 162F ROTORWAY](https://openairdocs.org/model/omlin-robert-g-exec-162f-rotorway) (registry code 05628OG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotorway RI-162F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotorway-ri-162f) (registry code 55007, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: 8005 - Engines: ROTORWAY RI 162F 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Omlin Robert G - Registered owner: Omlin Robert G - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: Quincy, WA - Destination: Quincy, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 900 total, 85 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: EPH, 14 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 20120704013689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120704013689A), Jul 4, 2012: Omlin Robert G EXEC 162F ROTORWAY, Quincey, WA, Substantial damage. Prior to flight the pilot attached a 3 x 5 foot flag on/below the skids /struts of the aircraft N385AR. During flight, at approx 200 feet AGL, the flag… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 13, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84198. 52 KB in all. - Pilot Record of Conversation (item 1, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374886&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF 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.