Summary
On April 24, 1994, a Parsons BP GYRO (N54WP) was involved in an accident near Bunnell, FL. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS DURING LANDING FLARE TOUCHDOWN, RESULTING IN THE GYROPLANE TOUCHING DOWN ON THE NOSE GEAR, AND SUBSEQUENT NOSE OVER. THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS ALSO A CAUSE.
On April 24, 1994, about 1030 eastern daylight time, a Gyroplane, N54WP, registered to William H. Parsons, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, experienced a total loss of engine power on a crosswind turn at about 150 to 200 feet agl. The pilot made a forced landing on airport property. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot/certified flight instructor and student pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Bunnell Flagler County Airport about 2 minutes before the accident.
A witness stated he observed the gyroplane take off from runway 6, and make a crosswind turn at about 150 to 200 feet agl.
This accident is documented in NTSB report MIA94LA126. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N54WP.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS DURING LANDING FLARE TOUCHDOWN, RESULTING IN THE GYROPLANE TOUCHING DOWN ON THE NOSE GEAR, AND SUBSEQUENT NOSE OVER. THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS ALSO A CAUSE.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On April 24, 1994, about 1030 eastern daylight time, a Gyroplane, N54WP, registered to William H. Parsons, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, experienced a total loss of engine power on a crosswind turn at about 150 to 200 feet agl. The pilot made a forced landing on airport property. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot/certified flight instructor and student pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Bunnell Flagler County Airport about 2 minutes before the accident.
A witness stated he observed the gyroplane take off from runway 6, and make a crosswind turn at about 150 to 200 feet agl. He observed the propeller stop, and saw the gyroplane enter a glide for a forced landing. In the flare the gyroplane collided with the terrain on the nose gear, nosed over, and came to rest on its right side.
Examination of the gyroplane by the FAA, and the pilot-in- command revealed an alternator drive belt on the engine had failed for undetermined reasons. The alternator belt severed the ignition wires, resulting in a total loss of engine power.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA94LA126