Summary
On October 24, 2015, a Brandon Evans GYROPLANE (N166BE) was involved in an incident near Buckeye, AZ. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The student pilot's incorrect control input during takeoff which resulted in a runaway excursion and impact with terrain.
The student pilot reported that he lined the gyroplane up on the centerline of the runway for takeoff. As the takeoff roll was commenced, the student pilot stated he looked down to check the gyroplane's airspeed indicator and when he looked back up the gyroplane was 2 feet above the ground and drifting right. The gyroplane rolled right and came to rest on its right side. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the rotor mast and horizontal stabilizer.
The flight instructor reported that as the rotor was coming up to speed, he noticed the student pilot was holding the cyclic aft and to the right. The flight instructor reported he tried to push the cyclic forward and left but was unable to overcome the student pilot's cyclic inputs.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA16CA035. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N166BE.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The student pilot's incorrect control input during takeoff which resulted in a runaway excursion and impact with terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The student pilot reported that he lined the gyroplane up on the centerline of the runway for takeoff. As the takeoff roll was commenced, the student pilot stated he looked down to check the gyroplane's airspeed indicator and when he looked back up the gyroplane was 2 feet above the ground and drifting right. The gyroplane rolled right and came to rest on its right side. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the rotor mast and horizontal stabilizer.
The flight instructor reported that as the rotor was coming up to speed, he noticed the student pilot was holding the cyclic aft and to the right. The flight instructor reported he tried to push the cyclic forward and left but was unable to overcome the student pilot's cyclic inputs. The gyroplane rolled right and came to rest on its right side.
The student pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA16CA035