N7136C

On September 18, 1996, at 0730 central daylight time, a Tubb Air Commander 532 gyroplane, N7136C, registered to and operated by a private owner, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Magnolia, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the local flight. The student pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight originated from a field site near Magnolia, Arkansas, about 10 minutes before the accident.

According to the student pilot, the engine began to lose coolant from the radiator. While attempting to return to his point of origination, the engine lost power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a heavily wooded area.

The pilot's parents alerted local authorities when he did not return from the flight. The pilot was located the following morning at 0354, approximately 20.5 hours after the accident.

Examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector revealed that it was on its right side with one rotor blade damaged, both propeller blades were partially separated, and the fuselage frame was bent.

FAA records revealed that the student pilot, who built the Tubb Air Commander 532 gyroplane, was issued a registration certificate for the aircraft on May 24, 1990. His last medical certificate was issued on July 12, 1990, at which time he was issued a student pilot certificate.