Amateur-built 162F accident near Canton, Georgia, April 7, 1998
On April 7, 1998 at about 11:30 pm local time, a amateur-built 162F (helicopter), registered N623LB, was substantially damaged in an accident near Canton, Georgia. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's improper use of throttle and collective pitch during initial takeoff climb, which resulted in a decay of rotor rpm and settling of the helicopter into a lake.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 7, 1998 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Canton, Georgia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built 162F
- Registration
- N623LB · no longer on the register · serial 6189
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated he experienced a loss of rotor rpm during initial takeoff climb over a lake. He said he 'added max power & decreased collective; no increase in rotor rpm noted.' The helicopter was turned toward the shore, and the pilot lowered the collective pitch to increase rotor rpm, but with negative results. Subsequently, the helicopter settled into the water and sank. Examination of the engine control unit (ECU) (at an authorized repair facility) revealed the engine rpm steadily decreased as the percentage of throttle position was increased 'right up until impact, eleven (11) seconds from lift off.' An FAA inspector, who participated in the investigation, stated 'The pilot apparently applied too much collective pitch too soon and it appears he basically got behind the power curve.'
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,352 hours in all; 52 in this make and model; 90 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 1,102 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 52 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, April 7, 1998; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotorway 162F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: N/A at 11:28 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:55 pm from MGE
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.
Other NTSB records under N623LB the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.