Gray ROTORWAY EXEC 90 N716JB

Summary

On 5 September 2002 at about 14:30 local time, a Gray ROTORWAY EXEC 90 registered N716JB was involved in an accident near Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States. One person was 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

5 September 2002 at 14:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

Las Cruces International (LRU)

Coordinates

32.2936, -106.9256

Aircraft

Gray ROTORWAY EXEC 90

Registration

N716JB

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Las Cruces → Las Cruces

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW02LA250

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to refuel the helicopter, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The student pilot checked the fuel tanks prior to the flight and determined the tanks contained enough fuel for the short trip. Shortly after takeoff, the engine lost total power. The student pilot initiated an autorotation, and subsequently, the helicopter sustained a hard landing. The student pilot did not have an endorsement for solo flight in the helicopter. Numerous attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) from the pilot were unsuccessful.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.