Rotorway 162F N193AZ
29 July 2023 · Oshkosh, Wisconsin, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 29 July 2023 at about 17:27 local time, a Rotorway 162F registered N193AZ was involved in an accident near Oshkosh, Wisconsin, United States. 4 people were on board and 2 died, 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 17:27
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Oshkosh, Wisconsin, United States
- Nearest airport
- Wittman Rgnl (OSH)
- Coordinates
- 43.9637, -88.5597
- Aircraft
- Rotorway 162F
- Registration
- N193AZ
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2012
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CEN23FA333
People
2 people died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The failure of the gyroplane pilot to see and avoid the helicopter while maneuvering in the traffic pattern. Contributing to the accident was the gyroplane pilot’s performance of a prohibited maneuver in the traffic pattern.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
A gyroplane and helicopter collided midair while maneuvering for landing in day visual meteorological conditions. The aircraft were participating in a fly-in event that provided daily pilot briefings on flight operations and procedures. During the briefings, event coordinators informed pilots that 360° turns in the traffic pattern were prohibited. Flight track information, witness statements, videos, and damage to the aircraft indicated that the gyroplane impacted the left side of the helicopter while performing a prohibited 360° turn on the base leg of the visual approach. The helicopter impacted terrain, came to rest inverted, and a postaccident fire ensued. The gyroplane impacted an unoccupied airplane. The gyroplane pilot had no recollection of the accident flight. Postaccident examinations of both aircraft revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the failure of the gyroplane pilot to see and avoid the helicopter while performing a prohibited maneuver in the traffic pattern, resulting in a collision with the helicopter.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Aircraft involved
| Aircraft | Registration | Operator | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rotorway 162F | N193AZ | - | Destroyed |
| Ela Eclipse 10 | N221EL | - | Destroyed |
Other Rotorway 162 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Jul 2024 | Rotorway 162 F | Maybee, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 27 Oct 2018 | Rotorway 162 | Passaic, Missouri, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 24 May 2008 | Rotorway 162F | Gonzales, Texas, United States | Jonathan Houser | Serious injuries | - |
| 9 Mar 2008 | Rotorway 162F | Cartersville, Georgia, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 16 Jul 2007 | Rotorway 162F | Heart, North Dakota, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 20 Jul 2007 | Rotorway 162F | Stratford, Oklahoma, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Jul 2023 | Six Chuter SR7 XL | Chetek, Wisconsin, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 30 Nov 2023 | Cessna 182 | Manitowoc, Wisconsin, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 1 Oct 2023 | Beechcraft 23 | Waupaca, Wisconsin, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 18 Jul 2023 | Piper PA-28-180 | Eagle River, Wisconsin, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 19 Aug 2023 | Piper J5A | Iola, Wisconsin, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 29 May 2023 | Kolb FIRESTAR SS | Lodi, Wisconsin, United States | - | No injuries | - |