# NTSB WPR22LA045: Elvin Jack R JR Rotorway Exec 162F, N102LD, Scio, OR, November 22, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: November 22, 2021, 15:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Scio, OR · PVT Residence
- Coordinates: 44.638285, -122.82748 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6383&lon=-122.8275&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 104300
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104300/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104300
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA045

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper maintenance on the tail rotor assembly, which resulted in the loss of control and roll over.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder (probable cause)

## Analysis

The pilot of the experimental helicopter reported that, he had performed maintenance on the tail rotor assembly. While checking the blade tracking and balance in a hover, a pitch change link retention bolt lost torque and separated from the tail rotor slide assembly, which resulted in the loss of control and subsequent rollover. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tailboom, and main rotor system. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter and that he failed to ensure the maintenance was performed correctly.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-hover: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) (defining event)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N102LD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N102LD-2022-09-14), registration cancelled 2022-09-14, S/N 1001, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ELVIN JACK R JR ROTORWAY EXEC 162F
- Registry model: [Elvin Jack R JR ROTORWAY EXEC 162F](https://openairdocs.org/model/elvin-jack-r-jr-rotorway-exec-162f) (registry code 05614NB) (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: 1001
- Year built: 2003
- Airframe hours: 360
- Engines: AMA/EXPR 162F 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Flight test, Part 91
- Operator: Jack R Elvin JR
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, August 25, 2021
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: 25OR, Jack's Heliport
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; private, student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; last flight review April 7, 2006; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,550 total, 350 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.08 inHg
- Observed at: KCVO, 21 nm away
- METAR: KCVO 222256Z AUTO 33003KT 10SM OVC080 09/06 A3008 RMK AO2 SLP189 T00890056

## 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 20211122019759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211122019759A), Nov 22, 2021: Elvin Jack R Jr ROTORWAY EXEC 162F, Scio, OR, Substantial damage. The airman [privacy data omitted] sole occupant of the helicopter, was doing a hover test to check balance of rotor and tailrotor blades. A piece of the…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 21, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104300. 8.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 6.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14155521&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 106 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14154667&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20Pilot%20V2-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13133537&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20for%20WPR22LA045-Rel.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.

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