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NTSB Report
April 5, 1987 · Air & Space 18A · N6141S
Paducah, KY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 5, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Paducah, KY
Aircraft
Air & Space 18A
Tail Number
N6141S
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL87LA105
THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE SPUN THE ROTOR UP TO 350 RPM IN PREPARATION FOR A MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE TAKEOFF. DURING TAKEOFF ROLL, THE GYROPLANE EXPERIENCED GROUND RESONANCE. THE PLT REDUCED THE THROTTLE TO IDLE, BUT THE OSCILLATIONS CONTINUED AND THE RT MAIN LDG GEAR COLLAPSED. THE ROTOR SUBSEQUENTLY STRUCK THE RUNWAY AND TORE LOOSE FROM THE GYROPLANE. THE PILOT NOTED THAT SLIGHT BARELY NOTICEABLE UNDULATIONS EXISTED IN THE PORTION OF THE RWY SURFACE USED DUIRNG THE TAKEOFF ROLL. THE FAA APPROVED FLT MANUAL (AFM) FOR THE GYROPLANE CONTAINS NO EMERGENCY OPERATION PROCEDURES FOR GROUND RESONANCE. THE ACFT OPERATOR REPORTED THAT THE PLT WAS TAUGHT TO TAKEOFF IF SUFFICIENT ROTOR RPM WAS AVAILABLE IN THE EVENT OF GROUND RESONANCE. THE AFM STATES THAT ANY AIRSPEED MAY BE USED FOR TAKEOFF IF THE ROTOR DOES NOT DECAY BELOW 140 RPM.
Full Narrative
THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE SPUN THE ROTOR UP TO 350 RPM IN PREPARATION FOR A MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE TAKEOFF. DURING TAKEOFF ROLL, THE GYROPLANE EXPERIENCED GROUND RESONANCE. THE PLT REDUCED THE THROTTLE TO IDLE, BUT THE OSCILLATIONS CONTINUED AND THE RT MAIN LDG GEAR COLLAPSED. THE ROTOR SUBSEQUENTLY STRUCK THE RUNWAY AND TORE LOOSE FROM THE GYROPLANE. THE PILOT NOTED THAT SLIGHT BARELY NOTICEABLE UNDULATIONS EXISTED IN THE PORTION OF THE RWY SURFACE USED DUIRNG THE TAKEOFF ROLL. THE FAA APPROVED FLT MANUAL (AFM) FOR THE GYROPLANE CONTAINS NO EMERGENCY OPERATION PROCEDURES FOR GROUND RESONANCE. THE ACFT OPERATOR REPORTED THAT THE PLT WAS TAUGHT TO TAKEOFF IF SUFFICIENT ROTOR RPM WAS AVAILABLE IN THE EVENT OF GROUND RESONANCE. THE AFM STATES THAT ANY AIRSPEED MAY BE USED FOR TAKEOFF IF THE ROTOR DOES NOT DECAY BELOW 140 RPM.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 CDT
Nearest AirportFarrongton Airpark (0nm N)
Runway4
Runway Length2985 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAir & Space 18A
Tail NumberN6141S
Aircraft CategoryGyro
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1D · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 8 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:00
Weather SourcePILO