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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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June 2, 1994 · Pecchio Marchetti 263MP Marchetti · N263MP

East Moriches, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 2, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
East Moriches, NY
Aircraft
Pecchio Marchetti 263MP Marchetti
Tail Number
N263MP
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO94LA085

AN EYE-WITNESS LOCATED ABOUT ONE MILE FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE, SAW THE GYROCOPTER ENTER A LEFT TURN AND DESCENDING SPIRAL. THE WITNESS LOST SIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE IMPACT. THE PRESIDENT OF THE ROTORCRAFT ASSOCIATION REPORTED, '...[THE PILOT] STATED...THAT THE ROTORBLADES ON HIS MACHINE BECAME 'TWITCHY' AND MADE THE CONTROLS EXTREMELY SENSITIVE WHEN THE GYRO REACHED 55 MPH, AND THEREFORE HE DID NOT EXCEED 50 MPH....[THE PILOT] ALSO STATED TO FRIENDS...THAT HE HAD A 'HAIRY VIBRATION' AT TIMES AND COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE SOURCE OF THE VIBRATION....' THE FAA INSPECTOR STATED, '...THE AIRCRAFT WAS INSPECTED AT THE CRASH SITE...AND ALTHOUGH THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED, NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE COULD BE DETECTED....'

NTSB Probable Cause

the loss of control for undetermined reasons resulting in an uncontrolled descent and a subsequent collision with trees.

Full Narrative

On June 2, 1994, at an undetermined time, a Pecchio Marchetti 263MP, N263MP, an experimental gyrocopter, was destroyed after colliding with trees and the terrain, near East Moriches, New York. The commercial pilot received fatal injuries. The gyrocopter departed East Moriches, about 1245 eastern daylight time, for the local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the personal flight conducted under CFR 14 Part 91. Federal Aviation Administration Inspectors examined the wreckage, and in a report, stated: ...The aircraft was inspected at the crash site on June 2, 1994, and although the aircraft was destroyed, no evidence of a mechanical failure could be detected at that time. The aircraft maintenance log book was examined with no discrepancies noted.... The President of the Popular Rotorcraft Association submitted a report, in which he stated: ...We do know that Martin [the pilot] stated...that the rotorblades on his machine became "twitchy" and made the controls extremely sensitive when the gyro reached 55 MPH, and therefore he did not exceed 50 MPH when flying. Martin also stated to friends...that he had a "hairy vibration" at times and could not figure out the source of the vibration.... In his report, he continued: ...In talking to people, we found that Martin said he had a severe vibration when he hit 55 MPH, so he set his Vne [never exceed velocity] not to exceed 50 MPH. He described it as a scary vibration that shook the aircraft and was trying to determine what it was. We do know that the day of the accident was the windiest day he was up, with the nearest reported winds gusting to 20 MPH. It got even windier that afternoon on Eastern Long Island, but we believe that Martin had already crashed....An eye witness who was a farm worker about a mile away reported that he saw Martin flying high...when he went into a left turn and spiraled to the ground, out of sight to the witness....

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPecchio Marchetti 263MP Marchetti
Tail NumberN263MP
Aircraft CategoryGyro
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsSubaru · EJ18 · Reciprocating · 110

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 10 kt, gusting 18 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 39 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data