Summary
On June 23, 2003, a Parsons Trainer (UNREG) was involved in an accident near New Smyrna, FL. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: Failure of the pilot to maintain control of the gyrocopter.
On June 23, 2003, about 1330 eastern daylight time, an unregistered experimental gyroplane, crashed during takeoff at New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport, New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The aircraft was destroyed and the student pilot received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the occurrence.
The student pilot stated that during initial takeoff the aircraft climbed too fast, too early, and rolled to the right. He partially recovered prior to the aircraft colliding with the ground on the right side.
A witness stated he observed the aircraft taking off on runway 6.
This accident is documented in NTSB report MIA03CA132. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft UNREG.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
Failure of the pilot to maintain control of the gyrocopter.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
On June 23, 2003, about 1330 eastern daylight time, an unregistered experimental gyroplane, crashed during takeoff at New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport, New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The aircraft was destroyed and the student pilot received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the occurrence.
The student pilot stated that during initial takeoff the aircraft climbed too fast, too early, and rolled to the right. He partially recovered prior to the aircraft colliding with the ground on the right side.
A witness stated he observed the aircraft taking off on runway 6. About 1/3 of the way down the runway the aircraft rotated to a high angle of attach. The aircraft then yawed violently to the right. The pilot made a partial recovery but the aircraft again yawed to the right. The main rotor blades contacted the ground and the aircraft crashed.
Postcrash examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector showed no evidence of precrash failure or malfunction of the aircraft structure, flight controls, rotor system, and engine.
The aircraft was displaying FAA registration number N2059B at the time of the accident. FAA records indicate that the number was not currently assigned to an aircraft.
Examination of the pilot's student pilot certificate by an FAA inspector showed that there was no endorsement by a flight instructor for solo flight in gyrocopters or any other aircraft on the certificate.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA03CA132