Summary
On May 14, 2011, a Reed Roderick KB3 GYROPLANE (UNREG) was involved in an accident near Scott, LA. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's poor decision to takeoff with a tailwind which resulted in a runway excursion.
According to a statement obtained from the pilot by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot was attempting to depart a private grass strip with a tailwind. Approximately half way down the runway the gyroplane became airborne. The pilot looked down to check his engine instruments, and when he looked back up he was quickly approaching the end of the runway and a fence line. The pilot was unable to maneuver over the fence and the gyroplane impacted the top of the fence line. The gyroplane's fueslage was substantially damaged. He did not report any preimpact anomalies, and attributed inattention for his descent and collision with the fence. The pilot added that he was aware of the tailwind conditions.
This accident is documented in NTSB report CEN11CA336. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft UNREG.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's poor decision to takeoff with a tailwind which resulted in a runway excursion.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
According to a statement obtained from the pilot by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot was attempting to depart a private grass strip with a tailwind. Approximately half way down the runway the gyroplane became airborne. The pilot looked down to check his engine instruments, and when he looked back up he was quickly approaching the end of the runway and a fence line. The pilot was unable to maneuver over the fence and the gyroplane impacted the top of the fence line. The gyroplane's fueslage was substantially damaged. He did not report any preimpact anomalies, and attributed inattention for his descent and collision with the fence. The pilot added that he was aware of the tailwind conditions.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN11CA336