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NTSB Report
September 1, 1987 · Hall B-80M · N180RH
Waterford, CT
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 1, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Waterford, CT
Aircraft
Hall B-80M
Tail Number
N180RH
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC87DNE05
THE GYROCOPTER WAS OBSERVED TO TOUCH DOWN AND BECOME AIRBORNE AGAIN. AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE IT WAS OBSERVED TO PITCH DOWN, WITH THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRIKING THE GROUND IN FRONT OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT SAID HIS RIGHT CONTACT LENS WASBOTHERING HIM AND HE COULD NOT SEE THROUGH IT VERY WELL. HE STATED THAT ALTHOUGH HE THOUGHT HE WAS TOO HIGH AND CONSIDERED A GO-AROUND, HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE WITH THE LANDING BECAUSE OF THE CONTACT LENS PROBLEM. HE SAID WHEN HE TOUCHED DOWN HE SWERVED TO AVOID BUSHES AND A ROTOR BLADE STRUCK THE GROUND SEVERING THE MAST.
Full Narrative
THE GYROCOPTER WAS OBSERVED TO TOUCH DOWN AND BECOME AIRBORNE AGAIN. AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE IT WAS OBSERVED TO PITCH DOWN, WITH THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRIKING THE GROUND IN FRONT OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT SAID HIS RIGHT CONTACT LENS WASBOTHERING HIM AND HE COULD NOT SEE THROUGH IT VERY WELL. HE STATED THAT ALTHOUGH HE THOUGHT HE WAS TOO HIGH AND CONSIDERED A GO-AROUND, HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE WITH THE LANDING BECAUSE OF THE CONTACT LENS PROBLEM. HE SAID WHEN HE TOUCHED DOWN HE SWERVED TO AVOID BUSHES AND A ROTOR BLADE STRUCK THE GROUND SEVERING THE MAST.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:15 EDT
Nearest AirportWaterford (0nm N)
Runway15
Runway Length1950 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHall B-80M
Tail NumberN180RH
Aircraft CategoryGyro
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsMcculloch · 4318GX · Reciprocating · 90
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO