Amateur-built ROTORWAY EXEC 162F accident near Tucson, Arizona, February 5, 1999
On February 5, 1999 at about 8:43 pm local time, a amateur-built ROTORWAY EXEC 162F (helicopter), registered N88XS, was substantially damaged in an accident near Tucson, Arizona (Ryan Field). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The sudden development of a wind gust which resulted in the pilot losing control, and the helicopter's dynamic rollover when a skid contacted the ground.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 5, 1999 · about 8:43 pm local time
- Place
- Tucson, Arizona · Ryan Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built ROTORWAY EXEC 162F ROTORWAY E
- Registration
- N88XS · registry record · serial 6049
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After flying for about 1 hour, the student pilot hovered 2 feet above ground level about 50 yards away from a witness. The local wind speed had varied between calm and 5 knots during the flight. The witness and pilot reported that suddenly an estimated 25 knot (maximum) wind gust developed. The gust pushed the helicopter sideways, the pilot lost control, a skid contacted the ground, and the helicopter rolled over onto its side.
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: student
- Flight time: 800 hours in all; 20 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 20 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 48 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 20, 1998; 48 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotorway 162F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RYN at 7:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 15,000 ft
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:45 pm from RYN
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number LAX99LA089.