James D Riehm ROTORWAY EXEC N191JD

Summary

On 23 March 1992 at about 22:07 local time, a James D Riehm ROTORWAY EXEC registered N191JD, operated by James Dennis Riehm, was involved in an accident near Bowling Green, Kentucky, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 March 1992 at 22:07

Classification

Accident

Location

Bowling Green, Kentucky, United States

Coordinates

36.9498, -86.2804

Aircraft

James D Riehm ROTORWAY EXEC

Registration

N191JD

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

James Dennis Riehm

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

BFO92FLQ01

1 person died.

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.