Pilot Debrief

SUNDT DANIEL N Rotorway Exec 162-F near West Chester, PA — 2008-11-04

Final reportERA09CA042
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Date
2008-11-04
Location
West Chester, PA, USA
Airport
OQN
Aircraft
SUNDT DANIEL N Rotorway Exec 162-F
Registration
N8286D
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance above terrain while performing a pedal turn.

NTSB narrative

The pilot/builder of the amateur-built Rotorway Exec 162-F stated that while hovering the helicopter over a taxiway, he initiated a 180-degree left pedal turn. During the turn, the helicopter rolled right and impacted the ground on its right side. The helicopter had accumulated about 4 total flight hours since the pilot had completed building it. The pilot reported that he possessed about 2,000 total hours of flight experience, with 24 hours in rotorcraft (all of which were in the accident helicopter make and model). Additionally, the pilot also held a solo endorsement to fly the accident helicopter make and model. The pilot reported that there were no problems with the performance and handling of the helicopter. The pilot further stated that he believed he may have been hovering the helicopter closer to the ground than he had previously thought while performing the pedal turn, and that one of the skids may have impacted the pavement during the turn and initiated the rollover.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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