History of Flight
On April 13, 2014, about 1209 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Sands Helicycle, N78CS, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near the Reno-Stead Airport (RTS), Reno, Nevada. The helicopter was registered to and operated by the pilot under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The student pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight, which originated from RTS at 1204.
Witnesses stationed near the accident site reported observing two helicopters flying along a taxiway about 15 feet above ground level (agl) on a southerly heading while in trail. As the helicopters turned left to an easterly heading, they ascended to about 500 feet agl. When both helicopters turned to a northerly heading, the lead helicopter began to pull away from the second. Witnesses stated that the second helicopter suddenly pitched downward toward the ground and subsequently impacted terrain about 1,425 feet northeast of the threshold of runway 32. One witness added that the accident helicopter "shuttered a couple of times, [and] then dove at the ground" while rolling in a clockwise rotation.
The pilot of the lead helicopter reported that the accident pilot and he departed from the west hangars eastward along taxiway Alpha. The accident pilot intended to follow him on a left traffic pattern for runway 08. As he turned crosswind, he asked the accident pilot if he was "back there," and the accident pilot responded, "yes, I am behind you and everything is fine." The lead pilot continued on downwind and made another radio call but received no reply despite multiple attempts. Shortly thereafter, he discovered the wreckage.
A friend of the pilot reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge that the morning of the accident, the pilot had flown uneventfully around the airport and performed a few low-speed quick stops on a taxiway. The friend also stated that the helicopter had been test flown about a week prior by a test pilot and was within weight and balance limitations.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 46, held a student pilot certificate with an endorsement for an R22 helicopter and a third-class airman medical certificate issued on November 30, 2012, with no limitations. According to his logbook, as of March 23, 2014, he had accumulated 52.7 hours total flight time, including 4.6 hours solo. He logged 4.2 hours within the 30 days preceding the accident, none of which was solo.
Aircraft Information
The single-seat experimental amateur-built helicopter, serial number 5-14, was completed in 2014 and issued an experimental airworthiness certificate on March 6, 2014. It was powered by a Solar T-62-32 turboshaft engine rated at 160 horsepower. Review of the airframe logbook revealed no further entries after the airworthiness certificate was issued.
Meteorological Information
At 1155, the automated weather observation station at Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO), about 15 miles southeast, reported wind from 130 degrees at 5 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky clear, temperature 13°C, dew point -12°C, and altimeter 30.19 inches of mercury. The calculated density altitude was about 5,751 feet.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The helicopter came to rest on its left side in an open desert area. All major structural components were located at the site. An FAA inspector examined the wreckage, which was recovered for further examination.
Medical and Pathological Information
The Washoe County Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy on April 14, 2014, and determined the cause of death as "multiple blunt force injuries." Toxicology tests by the FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) tested for carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles, and drugs, with positive results for an unspecified amount of Diphenhydramine in the liver. Diphenhydramine is a common antihistamine with warnings that it may impair mental and/or physical ability required for hazardous tasks.
Tests and Research
Examination of the recovered airframe and engine occurred on May 28, 2014, at Reno-Stead Airport by the NTSB IIC and a representative from Eagle R&D. One of the two main rotor blades was separated at the blade grip with a sheared retention bolt; the outboard three feet of the blade, including the tip and leading edge spar, was located about 300 feet southwest of the accident site. Chordwise striations were observed on both rotor blades. The tailrotor assembly was unremarkable. Flight control continuity was established for all primary controls; separations in control torque tubes exhibited overload signatures. The forward fuselage was destroyed, and impact damage was consistent with a main rotor blade strike. The engine was removed from the gearbox; rotational continuity was established throughout the gearbox and turbine engine, though initially stiff. Once the nozzle was removed, the turbine assembly rotated freely. No evidence of preexisting anomalies that would have precluded normal operation was found.