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January 29, 2013 · Amirkhanian Shahram Charl Commander · N393GX

Westminster, MD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 29, 2013
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Westminster, MD
Aircraft
Amirkhanian Shahram Charl Commander
Tail Number
N393GX
Operator
Amirkhanian Shahram C
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA13CA122

According to the pilot of the gyroplane, he was practicing aborted takeoffs from a field that had power lines near the practice area and performing 180-degree turns to simulate a return to the runway. He successfully completed one practice maneuver, taking off to the south and making a 180-degree turn to the north. During the second practice maneuver, he took off to the north and began a 180-degree turn to the south. The pilot stated that, immediately after making the turn, the sun obscured his vision for several seconds. The gyroplane then struck a power line, and the pilot pushed the cyclic forward to land in the field. Subsequently, the gyroplane impacted the ground hard, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. At the time of the accident, the angle of the sun was low and directly in the flightpath during the turn. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

Impact with power lines due to the pilot’s obscured vision due to the low angle of the sun, which prevented the pilot from seeing the lines.

Full Narrative

According to the pilot of the gyrocopter, he was practicing aborted takeoffs with 180-degree turns to a simulated runway in a field that had power lines in the vicinity of the practice area. He successfully completed one simulated aborted takeoff and turned back toward the simulated runway. During the second practice maneuver, he took off to the north, and began the 180-degree turn to the south. The pilot stated the sun obscured his vision for several seconds, the gyrocopter struck a powerline, and he pushed the cyclic forward in order to land in the field. Then, the gyrocopter impacted the ground hard, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyrocopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 EST
Nearest AirportClearview Airpark (2nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAmirkhanian Shahram Charl Commander
Tail NumberN393GX
Aircraft CategoryGyro
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAmirkhanian Shahram C
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503ULDCDI · Reciprocating · 52
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 37 C
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time20:30
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data