Amateur-built Exec 162F accident near Longview, Texas, May 15, 2003
On May 15, 2003 at about 8:30 pm local time, a amateur-built Exec 162F (helicopter), registered N212DP, was substantially damaged in an accident near Longview, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the engine ignition system for undetermined reasons resulting in a loss of engine power. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for an auto rotational landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 15, 2003 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Longview, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Exec 162F
- Registration
- N212DP · registry record · serial D2000
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The 269-hour pilot attempted to contact the air traffic control tower when the aircraft was approximately 250 feet agl. The pilot stated as he pressed the push to talk (PTT) button on the cyclic control, the "engine had a flame out." Due to obstacles in the flight path of the helicopter, the pilot was forced to turn the helicopter and "attempt a landing on a downhill slope." During the landing, the turbine powered helicopter nosed over and came to rest on its right side. During a telephone interview, the pilot reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge that he was having problems with the radio and installed a new one prior to departing. The pilot stated that after takeoff he pressed the PTT and it "caused the ignition system to go out."
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: 269 hours in all; 207 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 197 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 202 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 20, 2002; 27 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: International Harvester Solar T-62T-3 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Longview TX
- Destination: GGG Longview TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
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.