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September 21, 1997 · Pohlman/Pohlman Rotorway EXEC 90 Rotorway E · N94CJ

Westminster, MD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 21, 1997
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Westminster, MD
Aircraft
Pohlman/Pohlman Rotorway EXEC 90 Rotorway E
Tail Number
N94CJ
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
IAD97LA121

The pilot remained in the traffic pattern for 40 minutes in his homebuilt helicopter, performing takeoffs and landings. At 200 feet on final approach with 19 inches of manifold pressure set, the engine stopped running. During the forced landing, the pilot maneuvered to avoid an embankment and impacted the ground damaging the tail boom and rotor blades. Examination of the engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions. The temperature/dew point was: 57 degrees Fahrenheit and 38 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. Utilizing the 'Icing Probability Curves' charts, these temperatures combined with a glide power setting, placed the carburetor within the serious icing range. Examination of the helicopter revealed that the carburetor heat was preset prior to the flight and not accessible from inside the cockpit. After the accident, the FAA recommended to the manufacturer that a switch be placed in the cockpit. The manufacturer completed a modification allowing control of the carburetor heat from inside the cabin.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of power due to carburetor icing. A factor to this accident was the carburetor heat was not accessible from within the cockpit.

Full Narrative

On September 21, 1997, about 1445 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Rotorway Exec 90, N94CJ, was substantially damaged as it impacted the ground during a forced landing at Carroll County Regional/Jack B. Poage Field (W54), Westminster, Maryland. The certificated private pilot/co-owner received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot flew the helicopter in the traffic pattern for 40 minutes, performing takeoffs and landings. He reported that "at 200 feet on final approach with 19 inches of manifold pressure set, the engine stopped running." The pilot recalled glancing at the carburetor air temperature gauge and it was not in the yellow caution range. During the descent, the pilot maneuvered to avoid an embankment and impacted the ground damaging the tail boom and rotor blades. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector examined the helicopter. His examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions with the engine. The Inspector reported that the engine started and ran without any difficulty. A pilot, who had flown a another helicopter, told the Inspector that he was required to use carburetor heat that morning. The temperature/dew point recorded by the Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) at W54 was: 57 degrees Fahrenheit and 38 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. Utilizing the "Icing Probability Curves" charts, these temperatures combined with a glide power setting, placed the carburetor within the serious icing range. Examination of the helicopter revealed that the carburetor heat was preset prior to flight, and not accessible from inside the cockpit. After the accident, the FAA recommended to the manufacturer that a switch be placed in the cockpit. The manufacturer completed a modification allowing control of the carburetor heat from inside the cabin.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:45 EDT
Nearest AirportCarroll County Regional (0nm)
Runway34
Runway Length5100 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPohlman/Pohlman Rotorway EXEC 90 Rotorway E
Tail NumberN94CJ
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotorway · RI-162 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 4100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data