Accident RotorWay Exec N4463N, Sunday 7 January 1990

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Date:	Sunday 7 January 1990
Time:	16:30 LT
Type:	RotorWay Exec
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N4463N
MSN:	3111
Engine model:	CHEVROLET V-6
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Mountain Iron, MN - United States of America
Phase:	Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Mountain Iron, MN
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
WHILE FLYING HIS HOMEBUILT HELICOPTER, THE NON-CERTIFIED PILOT WAS MANEUVERING ABOUT 4 FEET AGL AND DRAGGED A SKID. CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOST AND IT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN, SUSTAINING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL OF ABOUT 19 HOURS, OF WHICH 10 WERE DUAL INSTRUCTION RECEIVED IN 1983.

Probable Cause: FAILURE OF THE NON-CERTIFICATED PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE, WHILE MANEUVERING THE HELICOPTER. THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE AND PROPER CERTIFICATION (QUALIFICATION) WERE RELATED FACTORS.

Accident investigation: