Summary
On December 26, 2011, a Chapel Robert B AERIAL (N435AB) was involved in an incident near Simsbury, CT. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's decision to operate the gyroplane outside his endorsement limitations and to depart with a tailwind, which resulted in a forced landing to unsuitable terrain.
The pilot/owner was practicing takeoffs and landings in the recently certificated experimental amateur-built gyrocopter at the time of the accident. During run-up, high-speed taxi, and pre-spin of the rotor, the pilot noted no anomalies. While the pilot/owner was not rated in rotorcraft, he did have a student endorsement that limited his flights to in-ground-effect only, and no more than 10 knots of wind. The pilot chose to perform a normal takeoff with a 14-knot tailwind that gusted to 24 knots. At 200 feet above the runway, the pilot determined that the rotor rpm was decaying and the gyrocopter would not climb due to the tailwind.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA12CA124. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N435AB.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's decision to operate the gyroplane outside his endorsement limitations and to depart with a tailwind, which resulted in a forced landing to unsuitable terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot/owner was practicing takeoffs and landings in the recently certificated experimental amateur-built gyrocopter at the time of the accident. During run-up, high-speed taxi, and pre-spin of the rotor, the pilot noted no anomalies. While the pilot/owner was not rated in rotorcraft, he did have a student endorsement that limited his flights to in-ground-effect only, and no more than 10 knots of wind. The pilot chose to perform a normal takeoff with a 14-knot tailwind that gusted to 24 knots. At 200 feet above the runway, the pilot determined that the rotor rpm was decaying and the gyrocopter would not climb due to the tailwind. He performed a forced landing off the departure end of the runway, and the gyrocopter came to rest on its side which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot/owner reported to the FAA that there were no mechanical deficiencies with his gyrocopter.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA12CA124