ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 294410
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| Date: | Saturday 9 October 2004 |
| Time: | 08:22 LT |
| Type: |  RotorWay Exec |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N82DR |
| MSN: | 1 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 328 hours |
| Engine model: | Rotorway RW152 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Eden Prairie, Minnesota -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Unknown |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Minneapolis-Flying Cloud Airport, MN (FCM/KFCM) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The experimental amateur-built helicopter sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain during an autorotation following an in-flight loss of engine power while on its base leg. The pilot stated in his accident report, "I was given clearance for the option and on the base leg I reached for, and pulled, the carburetor heat lever. After releasing the lever, I inadvertently bumped and threw the main battery switch. I felt the switch move. (These switches are located on the top of the center console, and they are hidden from view by the pilot's right leg due to cramped quarters). I then tried to find and reengage the switch and I threw the avionics switch. I immediately re-engaged the avionics switch. While searching for the battery switch, the engine stopped. ... Due to forward groundspeed, the helicopter slid forward and tipped forward. The rotor blades struck the ground in the front of the ship, which created torque forces, which tipped the machine onto its left side. " The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions in reference to the helicopter on the flight. The pilot's safety recommendation was that the "battery switch should be relocated or [guarded]."
Probable Cause: The pilot's inadvertent deactivation of the battery switch leading to the helicopter's loss of engine power on base leg. A factor was the crops he encountered during the emergency landing.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB CHI05CA005
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 11-Oct-2022 17:53 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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