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NTSB Report
April 18, 1992 · Rose Wesley Rotorway WR EXEC Rotorway W · N6617L
Hudsonville, MI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 18, 1992
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Hudsonville, MI
Aircraft
Rose Wesley Rotorway WR EXEC Rotorway W
Tail Number
N6617L
Operator
Rose Wesley a Sr
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI92DEM01
THE EXPERIMENTAL HELICOPTER WAS CLIMBING OUT FROM TAKEOFF WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. THE HELICOPTER WAS 40 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHEN THE PILOT HAD TO INITIATE A FORCED LANDING. AN AUTO ROTATION CONFIGURATION WAS ATTEMPTED BUT NOT FULLY ESTABLISHED DUE TO THE LOW INITIATING ALTITUDE. THE HELICOPTER LANDED ONTO A SOFT FIELD AND ROLLED OVER AFTER ITS SKIDS DUG INTO THE SURFACE. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION WAS CAUSED BY A BROKEN INTAKE VALVE SPRING.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE FAILURE OF AN INTAKE VALVE SPRING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE LOW ALTITUDE AT WHICH THE AUTOROTATION WAS INITIATED AND THE SOFT TERRAIN ON WHICH THE HELICOPTER WAS LANDED.
Full Narrative
THE EXPERIMENTAL HELICOPTER WAS CLIMBING OUT FROM TAKEOFF WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. THE HELICOPTER WAS 40 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHEN THE PILOT HAD TO INITIATE A FORCED LANDING. AN AUTO ROTATION CONFIGURATION WAS ATTEMPTED BUT NOT FULLY ESTABLISHED DUE TO THE LOW INITIATING ALTITUDE. THE HELICOPTER LANDED ONTO A SOFT FIELD AND ROLLED OVER AFTER ITS SKIDS DUG INTO THE SURFACE. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION WAS CAUSED BY A BROKEN INTAKE VALVE SPRING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftRose Wesley Rotorway WR EXEC Rotorway W
Tail NumberN6617L
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRose Wesley a Sr
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotorway · RW152/1947 · Reciprocating · 152
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 11 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingOvercast 800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC