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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

March 22, 2006 · Kearsley Exec 162F · N520DK

Morgan, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 22, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Morgan, UT
Aircraft
Kearsley Exec 162F
Tail Number
N520DK
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA06CA069

The pilot said that he departed from his home, which is at approximately 5,000 feet elevation. He said that he came to a hover at approximately 10 feet above a ridge line to look at a herd of elk. He said he had an estimated 10 knot tail-wind, which reduced the helicopter's tail rotor effectiveness. The pilot said that the helicopter settled into some brush on the side of the ridge, and rolled onto its left side. The helicopter came to rest at an elevation of 7,000 feet. The maximum hover out of ground effect altitude, published by RotorWay International, for the Exec 162F, is 5,000 feet.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision to attempt to hover out of ground effect above the kit manufacturers published recommendations. A factor was mountainous terrain.

Full Narrative

On March 22, 2006, at approximately 1530 mountain standard time, a Kearsley, RotorWay Exec 162F, homebuilt experimental helicopter, N520DK, was substantially damaged when it settled to a ridge top and rolled onto its left side near Morgan, Utah. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The pilot/builder was operating the helicopter under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local elk watching flight that originated from the pilot's home approximately 20 minutes before the accident. No flight plan had been filed. The pilot said that he departed from his home, which is at approximately 5,000 feet elevation. He said that he came to a hover at approximately 10 feet above a ridge line to look at a herd of elk. He said he had an estimated 10 knot tail-wind, which reduced the helicopter's tail rotor effectiveness. The pilot said that the helicopter settled into some brush on the side of the ridge, and rolled onto its left side. The helicopter came to rest at an elevation of 7,000 feet. The maximum hover out of ground effect altitude, published by RotorWay International for the Exec 162F, is 5,000 feet.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftKearsley Exec 162F
Tail NumberN520DK
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotorway · RI 162F · Reciprocating · 175
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 7 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 21 C
Altimeter30.25 inHg
Observation Time22:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data