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September 25, 2010 · Worthington Rotorway Exec 90 · N520RW

Pattison, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 25, 2010
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Pattison, TX
Aircraft
Worthington Rotorway Exec 90
Tail Number
N520RW
Operator
William S Worthington
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN10LA558

A witness working in a field observed the helicopter fly overhead and heard the rotor blades making "funny noises." Shortly after, the witness lost sight of the helicopter and observed a plume of smoke. A postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed no pre-impact mechanical anomalies with the flight control system, rotor system, or engine. A technical representative of the helicopter manufacturer examined the photographs taken on scene, and reported that the main rotor blades displayed signatures consistent with a decay of the main rotor rpm.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain main rotor rpm, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.

Full Narrative

On September 25, 2010, about 0925 central daylight time, a Worthington Rotorway International Exec 90, N520RW, impacted terrain near Pattison, Texas. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was fatally injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The helicopter was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight originated from the pilot's residence in Brookshire, Texas, approximately 0915. According to the lead Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who went to the scene, this was the first flight of the helicopter since the owner had performed some maintenance. The work had not been recorded in the helicopter's maintenance records. A witness working in a nearby field said he heard and saw the helicopter fly overhead. He said the "rotor blades were making funny noises." He then observed a plume of smoke. He did not witness the impact. The witness did not submit a written statement. FAA inspectors examined the wreckage and said they found no anomalies with the flight control system, rotor system, or engine. Photographs taken at the accident site were sent to Rotorway International. A company representative told FAA that the main rotor blades displayed signatures consistent with a decay of the main rotor rpm. According to the autopsy report, death was attributed to "massive blunt force injuries consistent with high-speed deceleration trauma." According to FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) toxicology report, ethanol was detected in various tissue samples, but putrefaction was noted. Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, was detected in liver and kidney tissue. A postaccident examination of the maintenance records revealed that construction of N520RW (serial number 6839) was completed in June 2007. It was powered by a 150 horsepower Rotorway RI 162F engine. The pilot performed the last conditional inspection on August 26, 2008, and 25-hour and 50-hour inspections on September 15. The pilot's most recent logbook containing entries from March 19, 2010, to August 29, 2010, was examined. The pilot had submitted to three flight reviews, all on March 19, 2010, in a Bell 47 and in a Robinson R-22 and R-44. His total time was 196.5 hours.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:25 CDT
Nearest AirportPrivate Helipad (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWorthington Rotorway Exec 90
Tail NumberN520RW
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWilliam S Worthington
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotorway · RI 162F · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data