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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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November 16, 2013 · Pearson Jon M Dragonfly NO Series · N975DF

Anahuac, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 16, 2013
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Anahuac, TX
Aircraft
Pearson Jon M Dragonfly NO Series (2009)
Tail Number
N975DF
Operator
Weir Steven Wayne
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CEN14LA056

The gyroplane was in the airport traffic pattern when witnesses saw the main rotor head separate in flight and the gyroplane subsequently impact terrain. The pilot's friends and the mechanic who performed the last conditional inspection reported that the pilot/owner performed most of the maintenance on the gyroplane and that he had recently installed the main rotor head bearing block. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the bearing block had been installed upside down and was being held in place solely by friction. The pilot was not a Federal Aviation Administration-certificated mechanic or repairman.

NTSB Probable Cause

The incorrect installation by the pilot, who was not a certificated mechanic or repairman, of the main rotor head bearing block, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the rotor head.

Full Narrative

On November 16, 2013, about 1315 central standard time, a Pearson Dragonfly, an amateur-built gyroplane, N975DF, impacted terrain near the Chambers County Airport (T00), in Anahuac, Texas. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was fatally injured, and the gyroplane was destroyed. The gyroplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Anahuac about 1300.The following is based on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector's report: The gyroplane was in the airport traffic pattern. Witnesses saw the main rotor head separate in flight and the gyroplane impacted terrain about 1 mile southwest of T00. According to friends of the pilot and the mechanic who performed the last conditional inspection, the pilot-owner performed the majority of the maintenance on the gyroplane, and he had recently installed a main rotor head bearing block. Examination of the wreckage revealed the bearing block had been installed upside down. The mechanic said the bearing block was being held in place solely by friction. The pilot was not an FAA-certificated mechanic nor was he a certificated repairman. An autopsy performed on the pilot disclosed the cause of death to be "blunt force injuries."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:15 CST
Nearest AirportChambers County (1nm S)
Runway30
Runway Length3005 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPearson Jon M Dragonfly NO Series
Tail NumberN975DF
Aircraft CategoryGyro
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWeir Steven Wayne
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsAma/Expr · UNKNOWN ENG · Reciprocating · 63
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 11 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1400 ft
Altimeter29.88 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data