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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 13, 1994 · Richmond Rotorway Executive Rotorway E · N520PR

Ormond Beach, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 13, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Ormond Beach, FL
Aircraft
Richmond Rotorway Executive Rotorway E
Tail Number
N520PR
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA94LA137

The helicopter lost engine power and while making a autorotative forced landing in a pasture collided with a fence. Examination of the engine after the accident indicated the nos. 1 and 2 cylinder exhaust valves were being held partially open by excessive carbon build-up.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S IMPROPER AUTOROTATION FOLLOWING PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHICH RESULTED IN AN INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH A FENCE PRIOR TO GROUND TOUCHDOWN.

Full Narrative

On May 13, 1994, about 1058 eastern daylight time, a Richmond Rotorway Executive, N520PR, registered to Donald R. Redman, crashed while making a forced landing following loss of engine power, in Ormond Beach, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the pilot received serious injuries. The flight originated at Ormond Beach, Florida, minutes before the flight. A witness in the area stated she observed the helicopter flying westbound at about 500 feet and then turn around and fly eastbound toward the Ormond Beach Airport. She then heard the helicopter's engine "pop" a few times and then appear to lose power. The helicopter began to descend. The helicopter collided with a fence,flipped, and crashed to the ground. Postcrash examination of the engine by an FAA inspector indicated the spark plugs for each of four cylinders had normal combustion deposits. The nos. 1 and 2 cylinder exhaust valves had excessive carbon build up and carbon prevented the valves from closing. The nos. 1 and 2 cylinder walls were glazed and the piston rings were not creating a tight seal. (See attached inspector statement.) The pilot did not file an NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report as requested by the NTSB to him and to his attorney.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:58 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRichmond Rotorway Executive Rotorway E
Tail NumberN520PR
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotorway · RW-152 · Reciprocating · 152
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 4 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data