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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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April 16, 2009 · Better Burn Llc/Startube Div EXEC 162F · N333ST

Chandler, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 16, 2009
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Chandler, AZ
Aircraft
Better Burn Llc/Startube Div EXEC 162F
Tail Number
N333ST
Operator
Rotorway International
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR09CA198

The flight instructor said the student was practicing a stable hover at 2 to 3 feet altitude, when the helicopter descended with a slight drift to the right. The student said he made a correction and thought the helicopter might touch the ground and lift up again. When the right skid contacted the taxiway, the right rear skid shoe stuck in the asphalt surface and the aircraft rolled right, pivoting on the right skid. The flight instructor immediately bottomed the collective and pushed the cyclic left; however, the aircraft continued to roll onto its right side. Subsequently, the tail boom was bent up and partially separated, the windscreen structure was broken, the main rotor blades were damaged, and the fuselage was wrinkled. The flight instructor said the helicopter belonged to Rotorway, the kit manufacturer, and was used for factory flight training. The company had equipped the skids with prototype skid shoes approximately 10 inches in length that were flat and extended laterally beyond the skids. When the aircraft touched the ground with lateral movement, the aft right skid shoe dug into the asphalt causing the aircraft to roll right. The flight instructor said that after this accident, the company modified the skid shoe design by rounding the shoes to conform to the landing skids.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight and delay in taking remedial action to prevent the helicopter from touching down while drifting. Contributing to the accident was the design of the skid shoes.

Full Narrative

The flight instructor said the student was practicing a stable hover at 2 to 3 feet altitude, when they experienced an uncommanded loss of altitude with a slight drift to the right. The student said he made a correction and thought the helicopter might touch the ground and lift up again. When the right skid contacted the taxiway, the right rear skid shoe stuck in the asphalt surface and the aircraft rolled right, pivoting on the right skid. The flight instructor immediately bottomed the collective and pushed the cyclic left; however, the aircraft continued to roll onto its right side. Subsequently, the tail boom was bent up and partially separated, the windscreen structure was broken, the main rotor blades were damaged, and the fuselage was wrinkled. The flight instructor said the helicopter belonged to the company and had been equipped with “flat” prototype skid shoes approximately 10 inches in length. When the aircraft touched the ground with lateral movement, the edge of the aft right skid shoe dug into the asphalt causing the aircraft to roll right. The flight instructor said that after this accident, the company modified their skid shoe design by rounding the shoes to conform to the landing skids.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:22 MST
Nearest AirportChandler Municipal Arpt (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBetter Burn Llc/Startube Div EXEC 162F
Tail NumberN333ST
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRotorway International
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotorway · 162F · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 28 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 63 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 27 C
Altimeter30.19 inHg
Observation Time14:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data