1 fatal · Rotorway 162F · 1997-05-31 · PHOENIX, AZ, USA
Event
NTSB number
LAX97LA197
Event ID
20001208X07963
Type
Accident
Date
1997-05-31
Location
PHOENIX, AZ, USA
Coordinates
33.680419, -112.090095
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
1
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
1
Aircraft
Make
Rotorway
Model
162F
Registration
N176BT
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
the owner/builder incorrectly installed the tail rotor drive pulley mounting scissors, overtorqued the pivot belts, did not perform the required maintenance lubrication of the pivot belts, and failed to perform adequate visual maintenance checks of these areas during the pre/postflight checks; the resultant overtemperature on the pulley idlers; eventual catastrophic failure of the drive belts; and the pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm during autorotation, which resulted in loss of aircraft control and subsequent collision with the terrain.