24) IN FLIGHT BREAKUP, U-FIT

Rotorway Scorpion 133 | N51017

July 5th, 2024 | Andale, Kansas

Accident Location

  • City: Andale
  • State: Kansas
  • Latitude: 37.78511
  • Longitude: -97.638388
  • Airport ID:

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N51017
  • Make: Rotorway Scorpion
  • Model: 133
  • Aircraft Category: Helicopter
  • Amateur Built: Yes

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Faber, Vincent L.
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 70
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School: No
  • Instructional Flight: No
  • Pilot Certification: Private Pilot
  • IFR Rating: No
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: 3rd Class Medical
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: July 5th, 2024
  • Time: 8:00 AM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: VMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Takeoff
  • Total People Onboard: 1
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 0
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 1
  • NTSB No: CEN24FA248
  • NTSB Travel: Unknown
  • AQP Classification: 24) IN FLIGHT BREAKUP, U-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the helicopter student pilot operated the aircraft in solo flight without a solo endorsement, the most recent solo authorization from 21 months prior to the accident. The pilot operated the aircraft in aggressive flight, such that the main rotor blades struck the tail boom assembly in flight. The aircraft was observed by witnesses as falling in several large pieces. The tail boom assembly and rotor were found almost 500 feet from the main crash site, and corresponding witness marks were found on the leading edge of both main rotor blades. There were no other known mechanical defects found with the aircraft that could have caused the accident.

NTSB: NONE

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all rotor wing aircraft become increasingly educated and increasingly vigilant of the dangers and effects of aggressive maneuvering in any rotor wing aircraft, in that the increased G loading on the blades can cause the blades to strike the tail boom area. There is no known in flight recovery from an in flight tail boom strike. Prevention is all we have.

NTSB: NONE

DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.