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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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NTSB Report

May 17, 1991 · Farrington 18A · N6126S

Long Beach, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 17, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Long Beach, CA
Aircraft
Farrington 18A
Tail Number
N6126S
Operator
Novo Helicopter
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX91LA217

THE CERTIFICATED ATP PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD COMPLETED A NORMAL CHECKLIST. HE STATED THERE WAS A NORMAL SPIN UP ON THE RUNWAY AND ROTOR RPM WAS ATTAINED WITH NO SIGN OF GROUND RESONANCE. EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL ON TAKEOFF RUN TO 30 KNOTS. AT 31 KNOTS THE PILOT PROCEEDED TO PREPOSITION STICK TO THE LEFT AND PUSH LIFT BUTTON. THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED VIOLENT GROUND RESONANCE SIMULTANEOUSLY AT LIFT OFF. GYROPLANE CONTINUED SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND SWERVED TO THE LEFT COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND. THE PILOT STATED TO THE FAA HE WAS UNSURE WHETHER OR NOT HE HAD ACTUALLY PRESSED THE ENGAGE SWITCH OR THAT HE HAD BECOME AIRBORNE.

NTSB Probable Cause

GROUND RESONANCE REMEDIAL ACTION NOT PERFORMED BY THE PILOT.

Full Narrative

THE CERTIFICATED ATP PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD COMPLETED A NORMAL CHECKLIST. HE STATED THERE WAS A NORMAL SPIN UP ON THE RUNWAY AND ROTOR RPM WAS ATTAINED WITH NO SIGN OF GROUND RESONANCE. EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL ON TAKEOFF RUN TO 30 KNOTS. AT 31 KNOTS THE PILOT PROCEEDED TO PREPOSITION STICK TO THE LEFT AND PUSH LIFT BUTTON. THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED VIOLENT GROUND RESONANCE SIMULTANEOUSLY AT LIFT OFF. GYROPLANE CONTINUED SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND SWERVED TO THE LEFT COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND. THE PILOT STATED TO THE FAA HE WAS UNSURE WHETHER OR NOT HE HAD ACTUALLY PRESSED THE ENGAGE SWITCH OR THAT HE HAD BECOME AIRBORNE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 PDT
Nearest AirportLong Beach (0nm N)
Runway25
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftFarrington 18A
Tail NumberN6126S
Aircraft CategoryGyro
DamageSubstantial
OperatorNovo Helicopter
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 6 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data