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February 19, 2001 · Landry Gyrobee · N392JL

Chehalis, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 19, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Chehalis, WA
Aircraft
Landry Gyrobee
Tail Number
N392JL
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA01LA051

The pilot reported that about half way down the runway, he increased power to initiate a "crow-hop" maneuver. As the gyroplane started to become airborne it also began a right drift, which the pilot believed was from a left crosswind with slightly gusty wind conditions. The pilot reported that he "...adjusted the cyclic control to arrest the right drift..," that "...as the aircraft left the surface of the runway and became airborne, it immediately banked and drifted to the right...," and "...in attempting to adjust the cyclic control to level the aircraft, I either failed to move the control adequately, or I mistakenly moved it in the wrong direction...." The pilot reported a total of 918 hours of flight experience (all in rotorcraft) and 15 hours in the accident make. He also reported that "...the accident aircraft was fitted with an overhead cyclic control stick connected directly to the rotor head assembly..." and that "...this type of direct cyclic control can be described as having "reverse" control movements when compared to conventional cyclic control systems..." (e.g., to move the gyroplane right the pilot applies left cyclic). The majority of the pilot's flight experience was in "conventionally" controlled rotorcraft and he believed that he "...may have reverted back to [the] deeply imbedded control reflexes and moved the cyclic control in the wrong direction...."

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot-in-command's reverse application of cyclic to counteract a right drift during the takeoff roll in a gyroplane whose controls had been designed reverse of standard. Contributing factors were the gusty wind conditions and the pilot's "expectancy" or reversion to habit patterns based on non-reversed controls from the majority of his flight experience.

Full Narrative

On February 19, 2001, approximately 1210 Pacific standard time, a homebuilt Landry Gyrobee (gyroplane), N392JL, registered to and being flown by a commercial pilot was substantially damaged during a loss of control and rollover while conducting "crow-hopping" maneuvers on runway 33 at the Chehalis-Centralia airport, Chehalis, Washington. The pilot was uninjured. No flight plan had been filed and visual meteorological conditions existed. The flight, which was personal, was operated under 14CFR91, and was local in nature. The pilot reported that about half way down the 5,000 foot long runway, and while "wheel balancing" at 20-25 miles per hour, he increased power to initiate a "crow-hop" maneuver. As he gradually increased power, the gyroplane started to become airborne and also began a right drift, which the pilot believed was from a left crosswind. The pilot reported that he "...adjusted the cyclic control to arrest the right drift..." and that "...as the aircraft left the surface of the runway and became airborne, it immediately banked and drifted to the right...." He further reported "...in attempting to adjust the cyclic control to level the aircraft, I either failed to move the control adequately, or I mistakenly moved it in the wrong direction...." The gyroplane's right wheel then began dragging on the runway surface and the rotor blades began to strike the ground. The gyroplane then rolled over coming to rest along the right edge of the runway. The pilot reported that "...at the time of the accident, the windsock indicated prevailing winds were more or less aligned with the runway at less than 10 knots..." and believed "...the winds had a slight gusty component...." Winds at Toledo-Winlock airport at 1154 PST, 14 nautical miles southeast of Chehalis were reported as 320 degrees magnetic at four knots. The pilot, who maintained a commercial pilot certificate, was rated in helicopters both VFR and IFR, and had no reported fixed wing flight time. He reported that his total flight experience of 918 hours was in rotorcraft vehicles and that he had a total of 15 hours in the accident aircraft make. Additionally, the pilot reported that "...the accident aircraft was fitted with an overhead cyclic control stick connected directly to the rotor head assembly..." and that "...this type of direct cyclic control can be described as having "reverse" control movements when compared to conventional cyclic control systems..." (e.g., to move the gyroplane right the pilot applies left cyclic). The majority of the pilot's flight experience was in "conventionally" controlled rotorcraft and he believed that he "...may have reverted back to [the] deeply imbedded control reflexes and moved the cyclic control in the wrong direction..." (refer to attached statements by the pilot). The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction with the gyroplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:10 PST
Nearest AirportChehalis-Centralia (0nm)
Runway33
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLandry Gyrobee
Tail NumberN392JL
Aircraft CategoryGyro
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503DCDI · Reciprocating · 50
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 4 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 16000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 39 C
Altimeter29.88 inHg
Observation Time19:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data