N115WB

Substantial
Serious

BERTRAM WILLIAM J BERTRAM 2000S/N: H2 06 17 673

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, July 21, 2012
NTSB Number
CEN12CA464
Location
Shiocton, WI
Event ID
20120722X00131
Coordinates
44.454444, -88.561668
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s distraction with taking photographs, which resulted in his failure to maintain sufficient altitude to avoid the guy wire.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N115WB
Make
BERTRAM WILLIAM J
Serial Number
H2 06 17 673
Year Built
2007
Model / ICAO
BERTRAM 2000

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
BERTRAM FOREST SYSTEM LLC
Address
N3176 REILAND RD
Status
Deregistered
City
APPLETON
State / Zip Code
WI 54913-9532
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported he was taking aerial photos of the airport where he is based out of, as they were hosting a fly-in. He stated he was flying toward the airport and trying to take photos when he realized he was getting too close to the airport. He initiated a turn downwind away from the airport, at which time the gyrocopter lost altitude. The lower right side of the fuselage and the right landing gear strut contacted a guy wire attached to a utility pole alongside the highway which bordered the south side of the airport. The gyrocopter then descended to the terrain and came to rest in a ditch alongside the highway substantially damaging the vertical tail surfaces, and the main rotor blades. The pilot stated that he was distracted by trying to use the camera and that he was not paying attention to the surroundings when the accident occurred.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN12CA464