Hamilton Rotorway Exec 90 accident near Harvey, North Dakota, July 22, 2007
On July 22, 2007 at about 8:00 pm local time, a Hamilton Rotorway Exec 90, registered CFWBN, was substantially damaged in an accident near Harvey, North Dakota (Harvey Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the airport ramp area during the return for landing, which resulted in the landing skid dragging on the edge of the pavement and causing the helicopter to roll over.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 22, 2007 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Harvey, North Dakota · Harvey Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hamilton Rotorway Exec 90
- Registration
- CFWBN · no longer on the register · serial 6020
- 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 when it caught a skid and rolled over during landing. The pilot stated that he originally landed at the accident airport as an intermediate fuel stop. After fueling, the pilot and passenger planned to continue the trip. The pilot stated that on takeoff, the helicopter had not obtained translational lift before he flew from the paved ramp area toward an agricultural field and "lost [the] cushion of air." He made a "sharp" 180-degree turn in an attempt to return to the ramp area; however, the "passenger side skid hooked [the] edge of [the] tarmac" and the helicopter rolled onto its side. He noted that he had not allowed for the temperature increase from the time of his takeoff on the previous flight until the accident takeoff. He added that he should have reduced the fuel load and not flown with a passenger. He stated that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the helicopter.
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: 81 hours in all; 35 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 35 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 500 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 1, 2006
- Maximum gross weight: 1,540 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotorway RI-162F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 5H4 Harvey ND at 5:00 pm
- Destination: OSH Oshkosh WI
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:55 am from DVL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.