Finke Rotorway Exec 162F accident near Cameron Park, CA
On July 21, 2004, a Finke Rotorway Exec 162F (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Cameron Park, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- July 21, 2004
- Place
- Cameron Park, CA
- Aircraft
- Finke Rotorway Exec 162F · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 38.668°N, 120.980°W
- NTSB ID
- 20040727X01081
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 21, 2004, about 1540 Pacific daylight time, the pilot flying a Finke RotorWay Exec 162F, N103RW, experienced an in-flight malfunction while cruising over Cameron Park, California. The experimental helicopter entered an uncontrolled descent and impacted a private residence about 1 mile south-southeast of the Cameron Park Airport. The helicopter was substantially damaged during the impact sequence, and it was destroyed along with a residence during the post impact ground fire. The commercial pilot, who was also the helicopter's owner-builder, was fatally injured. No one on the ground was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the test flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from the airport about 1539. Three witnesses reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that they observed portions of the accident flight. According to the witness who was located about 1 mile north of the crash site, a few days before the accident he had observed the pilot performing maintenance on the helicopter. On July 21, the witness observed the pilot takeoff from the Cameron Park Airport using runway 31. Seconds after becoming airborne the helicopter turned left, and the pilot cruised in a southerly direction about 200 feet above ground level. The witness further stated that after about 45 seconds, he heard an unusual sound as though rotor blades were departing the helicopter. Then, the helicopter rolled inverted and rapidly descended. The sec
Probable cause
The owner-builder's improper main rotor blade (MRB) maintenance/installation by under torquing the blade retaining nut.
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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
