Aviation Accident Summary SEA06CA069

Morgan, UT, USA

Aircraft #1

N520DK

Kearsley Exec 162F

Analysis

The pilot said that he departed from his home, which is at approximately 5,000 feet elevation. He said that he came to a hover at approximately 10 feet above a ridge line to look at a herd of elk. He said he had an estimated 10 knot tail-wind, which reduced the helicopter's tail rotor effectiveness. The pilot said that the helicopter settled into some brush on the side of the ridge, and rolled onto its left side. The helicopter came to rest at an elevation of 7,000 feet. The maximum hover out of ground effect altitude, published by RotorWay International, for the Exec 162F, is 5,000 feet.

Factual Information

On March 22, 2006, at approximately 1530 mountain standard time, a Kearsley, RotorWay Exec 162F, homebuilt experimental helicopter, N520DK, was substantially damaged when it settled to a ridge top and rolled onto its left side near Morgan, Utah. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The pilot/builder was operating the helicopter under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local elk watching flight that originated from the pilot's home approximately 20 minutes before the accident. No flight plan had been filed. The pilot said that he departed from his home, which is at approximately 5,000 feet elevation. He said that he came to a hover at approximately 10 feet above a ridge line to look at a herd of elk. He said he had an estimated 10 knot tail-wind, which reduced the helicopter's tail rotor effectiveness. The pilot said that the helicopter settled into some brush on the side of the ridge, and rolled onto its left side. The helicopter came to rest at an elevation of 7,000 feet. The maximum hover out of ground effect altitude, published by RotorWay International for the Exec 162F, is 5,000 feet.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision to attempt to hover out of ground effect above the kit manufacturers published recommendations. A factor was mountainous terrain.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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