Shapowal ROTORWAY EXEC 90 N442DS

Summary

On 24 October 2003 at about 23:30 local time, a Shapowal ROTORWAY EXEC 90 registered N442DS was involved in an accident near Cushing, Minnesota, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 October 2003 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Cushing, Minnesota, United States

Coordinates

46.2211, -94.6408

Aircraft

Shapowal ROTORWAY EXEC 90

Registration

N442DS

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Motley → Pillager

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

CHI04CA020

1 person had minor injuries.

Selection of an unsuitable landing area by the pilot due to the static wire across the approach path. Contributing factors were the pilot's disorientation, the static wire and the low light (dusk) conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The amateur-built helicopter was substantially damaged during an in-flight collision with a static wire, and subsequently the terrain, during an approach for a precautionary landing. The pilot reported that he delayed his planned flight due to high winds. He stated that once the winds had died down, he departed for what should have been a 10 minute flight. However, after takeoff he reported that he made a wrong turn and became disoriented. While attempting to orient himself, the pilot "determined that [he] no longer had enough light to fly." He selected a location for a precautionary landing. He stated that he did not see the power lines on short final due to the poor lighting conditions. He reported that the helicopter "hit [the] power line at low speed and was thrown back and down on [its] left side." The pilot stated there were no malfunctions with the aircraft or engine prior to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.