Rotorway EXEC 9 N89678

Summary

On 22 May 1996 at about 17:15 local time, a Rotorway EXEC 9 registered N89678 was involved in an accident near Chandler, Arizona, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 May 1996 at 17:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Chandler, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

33.3207, -111.8192

Aircraft

Rotorway EXEC 9

Registration

N89678

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX96LA210

Nobody was injured.

a loss of engine power due to a failed piston and piston ring in a critical phase of flight.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The dual student began to apply power during a normal approach to landing when the main rotor rpm needle went into the yellow arc on the engine gauge. The CFI applied full power but the rpm continued into the lower portion of the arc. The helicopter made ground contact with low rotor rpm and the right skid collapsed. The helicopter bounced and rolled over. Examination of the engine revealed that a section of the piston from the dome to the first ring groove had broken away. The upper ring was broke and pieces were found in the combustion area. Normal carbon buildup was found on the cylinder sleeve above the top ring surface except in the area of the piston breakage, indicating that the engine had been operating for a period of time after the damage had taken place and before the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.