N2152G

On June 26, 1999, at 0830 eastern standard time, a Gillmore Benson B&M (amateur built gyroplane), N2152G, departed controlled flight and impacted the terrain near Greencastle, Indiana. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage, while the pilot received serious injuries. The personal 14 CFR part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The local flight departed about 0715.

The pilot said that the roll control was lost and while attempting to maneuver for a landing on runway 18. He said that on approach "... about 200 ft and 400 yards from the threshold of the runway the first violent left bank occurred." He said he applied controls to counter the bank, and the gyroplane "... sluggishly started turning back to the right..." He said that he then began to nose the gyroplane down to gain some airspeed and at that point the engine suffered a loss of power. He said that about 50 feet above ground level, "... the machine made another violent roll to the left and nosed toward the ground." He said that opposite controls did not arrest the roll and the gyroplane impacted the terrain just left of the runway.

An examination of the gyroplane subsequent to the accident found that the right cyclic control rod was fractured. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector found the fracture discolored with corrosion through 90% of the material. He said the rod was necessary to maintain the roll control of the gyroplane. All other mechanical anomalies found were consistent with impact damage, according to the inspector.