Robert R Callahan EXEC 90 N4359N

Summary

On 21 June 1999 at about 23:30 local time, a Robert R Callahan EXEC 90 registered N4359N, operated by David McClamma, was involved in an accident near Lutz, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 June 1999 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Lutz, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Tampa North Aero Park (X39)

Coordinates

28.1303, -82.4601

Aircraft

Robert R Callahan EXEC 90

Registration

N4359N

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

David McClamma

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA99LA186

1 person was seriously injured.

The excessive cyclic input by the non-qualified passenger during the autorotative landing following a reported loss of engine power. A factor in the accident was the inadequate preflight of the helicopter by the unqualified pilot for his failure to detect corrosion at each ignition pack during the helicopter preflight, resulting in the loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The non-certificated pilot preflighted the helicopter and after engine start, one of the magnetos was intermittent. Manipulation of the magneto switch corrected the problem; the flight then departed and flew about 5 miles away. While returning, the non-rotorcraft rated passenger began flying the helicopter and while descending over the airport about 300 feet, the engine quit. The passenger lowered full collective, maintained 60 mph, then when the helicopter was 20 feet agl, he flared using a 45 degree flare angle. The tailboom contacted the ground first, followed by the main rotor blades contacting the tailboom. The helicopter then landed hard. The passenger stated after takeoff, the pilot performed 3 or 4 simulated loss of engine power with power recoveries and while performing another, the engine quit at 100-150 feet. He took the controls from the pilot and with the main rotor tachometer indicating 0, performed an autorotative landing but the helicopter landed hard. The engine was started postaccident and found to operate normally. Examination of the engine systems revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The pilot stated that he found corrosion at the wiring connections at each ignition pack. Preflight examination of the ignitions packs is required.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.