Rotorway Scorpion 133 accident near Andale, KS
On July 5, 2024, a Rotorway Scorpion 133 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Andale, KS. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- July 5, 2024
- Place
- Andale, KS
- Aircraft
- Rotorway Scorpion 133 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 37.785°N, 97.638°W
- NTSB ID
- 20240705194615
Official records · CEN24FA248
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn July 05, 2024, about 0801 central daylight time, a Rotorway Scorpion 133 helicopter, N51017, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Andale, Kansas. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot’s family, the local area flight originated from his personal residence, and he was conducting flight maneuvers, including autorotations, in preparation for a check ride for a rotorcraft (helicopter) rating. A review of a surveillance video from a residence near the accident site initially showed the helicopter not in view, but included an audible sound of the helicopter’s engine consistent with a high-power setting. About 17 seconds into the video, the sound of the engine reduced momentarily then increased to a lower setting as previously heard. Shortly after, numerous impacts are heard followed by the helicopter descending to the ground inverted. A postimpact fire ensued and consumed the wreckage. A witness who was traveling in a motor vehicle nearby heard a loud “bang” and observed debris separating from the helicopter as it descended to the ground. The wreckage was located in a wooded area that bordered a cultivated field about 1.6 miles northeast of the pilot’s residence and point of departure. A postaccident search did not reveal any ADS-B or radar data for the accident flight. PERSONNEL INFORMATIONThe FAA issued the pilot a third-class medical certificate on December 19, 2022, with the following limitation: “Not valid for night flying or by
Probable cause
The pilot’s abrupt control inputs, which resulted in a low-G condition, main rotor mast bumping, and subsequent severing of the tailboom by the main rotor blades.
More accidents in KS
- Sikorsky S-76B, Jul 5, 2001
- Cessna 421C Riley Turbine E, Jan 21, 2005
- Cessna 210M, Nov 6, 1983
- Cessna 401, May 11, 2012
- Beech A36, Jul 7, 1994
Browse: Kansas · 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.
