Amateur-built Rotorway Exec 90 accident near Cushing, Minnesota, October 24, 2003
On October 24, 2003 at about 11:30 pm local time, a amateur-built Rotorway Exec 90 (helicopter), registered N442DS, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cushing, Minnesota. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Selection of an unsuitable landing area by the pilot due to the static wire across the approach path. Contributing factors were the pilot's disorientation, the static wire and the low light (dusk) conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 24, 2003 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Cushing, Minnesota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Rotorway Exec 90
- Registration
- N442DS · registry record · serial 5165
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The amateur-built helicopter was substantially damaged during an in-flight collision with a static wire, and subsequently the terrain, during an approach for a precautionary landing. The pilot reported that he delayed his planned flight due to high winds. He stated that once the winds had died down, he departed for what should have been a 10 minute flight. However, after takeoff he reported that he made a wrong turn and became disoriented. While attempting to orient himself, the pilot "determined that [he] no longer had enough light to fly." He selected a location for a precautionary landing. He stated that he did not see the power lines on short final due to the poor lighting conditions. He reported that the helicopter "hit [the] power line at low speed and was thrown back and down on [its] left side." The pilot stated there were no malfunctions with the aircraft or engine prior to the accident.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 114 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 26 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 14 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 112 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, May 1, 2002; 24 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,425 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotorway RI-162 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Motley MN at 11:10 pm
- Destination: PVT Pillager MN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
- Observation at 11:15 pm from SAZ, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.