Accident RotorWay Exec 162 N437FV, Saturday 17 October 1992

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Date:	Saturday 17 October 1992
Time:	14:00 LT
Type:	RotorWay Exec 162
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N437FV
MSN:	1214
Total airframe hrs:	70 hours
Engine model:	ROTORWAY RI162
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Wynne, AR - United States of America
Phase:	Take off
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Jonesboro, AR
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE EXPERIMENTAL HELICOPTER WAS DEPARTING FROM AN OPEN FIELD WHEN A PLASTIC SACK BLEW INTO THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM. THE PILOT SAID THE SACK HUNG ON A BLADE CAUSING IT TO LOSE LIFT. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND A MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRUCK THE GROUND FOLLOWED BY THE AIRCRAFT. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WAS REPORTED BY THE PILOT.

Probable Cause: LIFT DEGRADATION ON ONE MAIN ROTOR BLADE SURFACE DUE TO A FOREIGN OBJECT.

Accident investigation: