Amateur-built ROTORWAY E accident near Sequim, Washington, July 16, 2009
On July 16, 2009, a amateur-built ROTORWAY E (helicopter), registered N3213K, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (hover) near Sequim, Washington (Sequim Valley airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure (disbonding) of a composite main rotor blade for undetermined reasons, leading to an immediate loss of control in flight during hover.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 16, 2009
- Place
- Sequim, Washington · Sequim Valley · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built ROTORWAY E 162F
- Registration
- N3213K · no longer on the register · serial 6804
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a stationary low hover of the recently built experimental helicopter, it suddenly and without warning rotated rapidly in a counter-clockwise direction around its longitudinal axis, and immediately impacted the ground. The investigation determined that one of the main rotor blades had failed (disbonded), leading to an immediate loss of control in flight. The composite blade, which was designed specifically for use on one manufacturer's experimental helicopter, was being used on another manufacturer's experimental helicopter, as allowed by its experimental designation. Due to the lack of sufficient engineering, manufacturing, and testing data, the precise initiating factor of the disbonding event could not be determined.
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
What happened, in order
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during maneuvering (hover)
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (hover) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (hover)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Main rotor system › Main rotor blade system › Failure
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,418 hours in all; 23 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 1,207 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 22, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 4,229 hours in all; 2,115 in this make and model; 101 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 4,120 as pilot in command; 1,772 on instruments
- Last flight review: December 20, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, July 14, 2009; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotorway 162F (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: R L Bielawa Associates INC
The flight
- Departed from: W28 Sequim WA
- Destination: W28 Sequim WA
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
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.