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NTSB Report

June 17, 2002 · Rotorway EXEC 162F · N588JR

Concord, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 17, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Concord, NC
Aircraft
Rotorway EXEC 162F
Tail Number
N588JR
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL02LA125

The pilot stated after bringing up power on the helicopter and getting light on the skids, he proceeded to lift off. The left skid stuck to the ground, and the right skid lifted off. The helicopter rolled over on the left side. He did not lower collective pitch and add full right cyclic until after the helicopter started rolling to the left. The helicopter kept rolling to the left and dynamic rollover occurred. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the helicopter.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper use of cyclic while attempting a hover resulting in dynamic rollover.

Full Narrative

On June 17, 2002, AT 1615 eastern daylight time, a Rotorway EXEC 162F, helicopter, N588JR, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight, rolled over on its left side at a private airport when the pilot attempted to pick the helicopter up to a hover. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot and pilot rated passenger reported no injuries. The flight was originating from Spencer Airport, Concord, North Carolina, at the time of the accident. The pilot stated , "after bringing up power and getting light on the skids, I proceeded to lift off. The left skid seem to stick in the ground, and the right skid proceeded to lift. The helicopter started to roll to the left. I lowered the collective and added full right cyclic. The helicopter kept rolling to the left and dynamic roll over occurred. The main rotor blades struck the ground as we rolled over on the left side. The tail boom stayed intact but buckled. The tail rotor also struck the ground." A review of Advisory Circular 90-87, Helicopter Dynamic Rollover states, "An increasing percentage of helicopter accidents are being attributed to dynamic rollover, a phenomenon that will, without immediate corrective action, result in destruction of the helicopter and possible serious injury...During normal or slope takeoffs and landings with some degree of bank angle or side drift with one skid/wheel on the ground, the bank angle or side drift can place the helicopter in a situation where it is pivoting (rolling) about a skid/wheel which is still in contact with the ground. When this happens, lateral cyclic control response becomes more sluggish and less effective for a free hovering helicopter. Consequently, if a roll rate is permitted to develop, a critical bank angle (the angle between the helicopter and the horizon) may be reached where roll cannot be corrected, even with full lateral cyclic, and the helicopter will roll over onto its side. As the roll rate increase, the angle at which recovery is significantly reduced. The critical rollover angle is further reduced under the following conditions: a. Right skid down condition; b .Crosswinds; c. Lateral center of gravity offset; d. Main rotor thrust almost equal to helicopter weight; and e. Left yaw inputs." During a telephone interview with the pilot, he was asked if he experienced any mechanical problems with the helicopter before it rolled over; he responded no.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:15 EDT
Nearest AirportSpencer Airport (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRotorway EXEC 162F
Tail NumberN588JR
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotorway · 162F · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter29.90 inHg
Observation Time20:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data