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NTSB Report

April 22, 2001 · David G Holmes Bensen Gyrocopter · N218DH

Troy, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 22, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Troy, AL
Aircraft
David G Holmes Bensen Gyrocopter
Tail Number
N218DH
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA01LA134

The pilot stated that he performed a power-off approach to the 10th fairway but just before touchdown he elected to fly closer to the club house and pitched the nose up then added power but the engine did not respond. A high sink rate developed resulting in a hard landing. The gyrocopter then began to wobble resulting in main rotor blade contact with the grass fairway. The gyrocopter then rolled over and a postcrash fire damaged one of the main rotor blades, the main rotor pitch change assembly, and the carburetor. He further stated that there was no flight control preimpact failure or malfunction and he believes the engine quit during the approach due to "flooding", as it had happened before. He also stated that he should have added power before pitching up to air taxi.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed during the approach resulting in a hard landing. A contributing factor in the accident was the loss of engine power during final approach due to undetermined reasons.

Full Narrative

On April 21, 2001, about 1900 central daylight time, a Bensen gyrocopter, N218DH, registered to a private individual, landed hard, bounced then rolled over after touchdown on a golf fairway at the Troy County Club, Troy, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The gyrocopter was substantially damaged and the airline transport-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated about 10 minutes earlier from the Brundidge Municipal Airport, Brundidge, Alabama. The pilot stated that he performed a power-off approach to the 10th fairway, but just before touchdown he elected to fly closer to the club house and pitched the nose up then added power, but the engine did not respond. A high sink rate developed resulting in a hard landing. The gyrocopter then began to wobble, resulting in main rotor blade contact with the grass fairway. The gyrocopter then rolled over and a postcrash fire damaged one of the main rotor blades, the main rotor pitch change assembly, and the carburetor. He further stated that there was no flight control preimpact failure or malfunction and he believes the engine quit during the approach due to "flooding", as it had happened before. He also stated that he should have added power before pitching up to air taxi.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDavid G Holmes Bensen Gyrocopter
Tail NumberN218DH
Aircraft CategoryGyro
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsSubaru · EA-81 · Reciprocating · 75
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 62 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.31 inHg
Observation Time23:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data