ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 299103
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| Date: | Sunday 16 April 2000 |
| Time: | 12:05 LT |
| Type: |  RotorWay Exec 162F |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N162GG |
| MSN: | 6250 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 8 hours |
| Engine model: | Rotorway 6306 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | MANASSAS, Virginia -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Unknown |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | (KHEF) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot/owner/builder of the homebuilt helicopter departed on a local flight. He completed a traffic pattern, and initiated an approach to the ground. During the final segment of the approach, the pilot found the collective control stick difficult to lower, and the movement restricted. The pilot forced the collective to the full-down position, and the helicopter contacted the ground and rolled over. A 25-pound metal barbell plate was found in the foot well on the copilot's side after the accident. The surface of the plate was lightly coated with rust. Examination of the copilot's seat cushion revealed rust colored transfers on the fabric. The seat pan exhibited circular scratches that measured the same radius as the barbell plate. The collective stick was raised, and the barbell plate was placed so that it was superimposed over the scratches. The collective stick was lowered, it contacted the plate, and approximately the bottom 1/3 of the collective stick travel could not be attained. The pilot explained that on the advice of the kit factory, a 25-pound weight could be added to the co-pilot's side to assist the pilot in achieving a more wings-level vertical ascent to a hover. He said: 'A 25-pound weight in the right seat worked fine. I flew with it all the time. It was secured by the seat belt. On the last flight it was not secured. I just put it on the seat because it was so heavy.'
Probable Cause: Was the pilot' use of an unsecured ballast weight in the cockpit that shifted in flight and blocked the collective control movement.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB IAD00LA037
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 16-Oct-2022 02:35 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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