Rotorway EXEC 90 accident near Anchorage, AK
On July 16, 1996, a Rotorway EXEC 90 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Anchorage, AK. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- July 16, 1996
- Place
- Anchorage, AK
- Aircraft
- Rotorway EXEC 90 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 61.159°N, 149.990°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X06130
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 15, 1996, at 2307 Alaska daylight time, a skid equipped, homebuilt helicopter, a Rotorway Exec Model 90, N9297H, registered to and operated by the pilot, pitched up, rolled left, and nosed down into the ground from an altitude of approximately 800 feet. The pilot was performing practice takeoff and landings and was on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 24 at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated private pilot, airplane rating only, was fatally injured. The helicopter was destroyed by post impact fire. According to a video tape provided by the pilot's son, the helicopter was on the downwind leg. When the helicopter was abeam the intended point of landing, the nose pitched up and then leveled off. The helicopter then rolled approximately 90 degrees to the left, nosed down, and crashed into a school playground. INJURIES TO PERSONS The pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. No one on the ground was injured. DAMAGE TO AIRCRAFT The helicopter was involved in a post impact fire which consumed much of the fiberglass composite structure, much of the aluminum skin, and other soft materials. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land rating. The certificate did not show he was issued a rotorcraft rating. He was also issued a repairman certificate for the Rotorway, Model Exec 90, serial number 5131, helicopter. The date of issue was Septemb
Probable cause
the pilot's excessive control inputs and the lack of familiarity with the helicopter. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's failure to follow the prescribed operating limitations.
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Browse: Alaska · Rotorway aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
