# NTSB WPR14CA006: Siemens Rotorway Exec 162F, N104BJ, Nampa, ID, October 5, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 5, 2013, 09:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Nampa, ID - Coordinates: 43.57722, -116.615837 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5772&lon=-116.6158&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 2, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88175 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88175/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88175 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA006 ## Probable cause A flight control malfunction during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined. No follow-up examination was conducted due to a lapse in agency funding and subsequent government shutdown. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Rotorcraft flight control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046700): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Malfunction; cases with it: [Siemens Jim ROTORWAY EXEC 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046700/cases.md?model=05605EQ), [All aircraft, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046700/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Siemens Jim ROTORWAY EXEC 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05605EQ), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) (defining event); cases with it: [Siemens Jim ROTORWAY EXEC 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=05605EQ), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Siemens Jim ROTORWAY EXEC 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05605EQ), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while in cruise flight, about 500 feet above ground level (agl), the cyclic control seemed to require a higher than normal input. He changed speed, however, that seemed to make it worse. The pilot was over a field and entered a 180 degree autorotation to lose altitude. At the completion of the autorotation, forward velocity had dissipated and the lateral movement to the left increased even with full right cyclic input. The helicopter collided with trees that bordered the field and subsequently rolled over onto its left side after touchdown. The fuselage and tailboom were substantially damaged. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while in cruise flight, about 500 feet above ground level (agl), the cyclic control seemed to require a higher than normal input. He changed speed, however, that seemed to make it worse. The pilot was over a field and entered a 180 degree autorotation to lose altitude. At the completion of the autorotation, forward velocity had dissipated and the lateral movement to the left increased even with full right cyclic input. The helicopter collided with trees that bordered the field and subsequently rolled over onto its left side after touchdown. The fuselage and tailboom were substantially damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N104BJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N104BJ-2020-01-31), registration cancelled 2020-01-31, S/N 6194, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SIEMENS ROTORWAY EXEC 162F (F) - Registry model: [Siemens Jim ROTORWAY EXEC 162F](https://openairdocs.org/model/siemens-jim-rotorway-exec-162f) (registry code 05605EQ) (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: 6194 - Year built: 1997 - Engines: Rotorway RI 162F 150 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: EUL, CALDWELL, ID - Destination: EUL, CALDWELL, ID ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight engineer, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 19, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 30,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 22,000 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: EUL, 7 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 20131005018459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131005018459A), Oct 5, 2013: Siemens Jim ROTORWAY EXEC 162F, Nampa, ID, Substantial damage. On October 5, 2013 at approximately 0845 N104BJ an amateur homebuilt rotoway exec 162F departed caldwell, Idaho piloted by [privacy data omitted] certificate… ## Other investigations on N104BJ (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 LAX02LA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA284), Sep 13, 2002: Siemens Rotorway Exec 162 F (N104BJ), Overgaard, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to check the wind direction prior to practicing autorotations, and his misjudged flare maneuver. The tailwind was a factor. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 15, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88175. 643 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 643 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402920&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.