BOWLING GREEN, KY, USA
N191JD
JAMES D. RIEHM ROTORWAY EXEC
THE PILOT HAD TOLD FRIENDS THAT HE WAS TEACHING HIMSELF TO FLY THE HELICOPTER INSTEAD OF ATTENDING THE MANUFACTURER'S TRAINING COURSE. HE ALSO REPORTED THAT HE HAD BEEN PRACTICING AUTOROTATION FROM 4000 FEET MSL AND DOING A POWER RECOVERY AT 2000 FEET MSL. ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE FELT CONFIDENT ENOUGH TO DO A POWER OFF AUTOROTATION TO THE GROUND. SHORTLY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, A WITNESS SAID HE HEARD THE HELICOPTER FLY OVER AT 600 FEET AGL HEADED SOUTH. HE HEARD TWO LOUD BANGS AND THEN HE NOTICED THE HELICOPTER SPINNING TO THE RIGHT. THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED AND CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM WHICH RESULTED IN THE INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE AND OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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