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NTSB Report
September 21, 1988 · Heibel AIR Command 532 AIR Comman · N7015C
Cottage Grove, WI
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 21, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Cottage Grove, WI
Aircraft
Heibel AIR Command 532 AIR Comman
Tail Number
N7015C
Operator
Robert M Heibel
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI88DEP13
WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT THIS AMATEUR BUILT GYROCOPTER EXPERIENCED A MAIN ROTOR STRIKE TO THE RUDDER AND PROPELLER. THE STUDENT PILOT WHO HAD A TOTAL OF EIGHT HOURS FLIGHT TIME, ALL IN THIS AIRCRAFT, WAS CONDUCTING A SOLO FLIGHT IN THIS DUAL CONTROL GYROCOPTER. HE RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES DURING THE IN-FLIGHT BREAKUP AND IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED. THE FLIGHT MANUAL INDICATES 'THE PILOT MUST HAVE AT LEAST 50 HOURS OF SOLO FLIGHT TIME LOGGED IN A COMMANDER GYROPLANE BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO FLY THE 532 COMMANDER DUAL SEAT GYROPLANE...'
Full Narrative
WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT THIS AMATEUR BUILT GYROCOPTER EXPERIENCED A MAIN ROTOR STRIKE TO THE RUDDER AND PROPELLER. THE STUDENT PILOT WHO HAD A TOTAL OF EIGHT HOURS FLIGHT TIME, ALL IN THIS AIRCRAFT, WAS CONDUCTING A SOLO FLIGHT IN THIS DUAL CONTROL GYROCOPTER. HE RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES DURING THE IN-FLIGHT BREAKUP AND IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED. THE FLIGHT MANUAL INDICATES 'THE PILOT MUST HAVE AT LEAST 50 HOURS OF SOLO FLIGHT TIME LOGGED IN A COMMANDER GYROPLANE BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO FLY THE 532 COMMANDER DUAL SEAT GYROPLANE...'
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:40 CDT
Nearest AirportBlackhawk Field (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHeibel AIR Command 532 AIR Comman
Tail NumberN7015C
Aircraft CategoryGyro
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRobert M Heibel
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 532 · Reciprocating · 64
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 8 kt
Visibility9 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:51
Weather SourceWFAC