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NTSB Report

November 18, 2016 · Pitcairn PA 18 NO Series · N12680

Philadelphia, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 18, 2016
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Philadelphia, PA
Aircraft
Pitcairn PA 18 NO Series (1932)
Tail Number
N12680
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA17CA092

According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped gyroplane, he landed on the right main landing gear. The gyroplane began rolling to the right, but the gyroplane's heading was aligned to the left of the runway heading and continued in a left direction of travel. He attempted to correct the gyroplane's right roll by moving the control stick to the left; however, the aileron movement did not subside the roll. He reported that in hindsight, opening the throttle and applying right rudder may have subsided the roll, "but my mental preparedness was biased to preventing a ground loop, not a dynamic rollover." The gyroplane continued to roll right and impacted the ground. The gyroplane came to rest on the runway and sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, right wing, and the empennage. The pilot reported that his lack of experience in the gyroplane model contributed to the accident because the critical angle was exceeded in this gyroplane more quickly than in other gyroplanes that he was accustomed to flying. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to correct the gyroplane’s right roll during the landing, which resulted in the exceedance of its critical angle and a subsequent roll-over. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s focus on preventing a potential ground loop instead of a roll-over and his lack of experience in the gyroplane model.

Full Narrative

According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped gyroplane, he landed on the right main landing gear. The gyroplane begin rolling to the right, but the gyroplane's heading was aligned to the left of the runway heading and continued in a left direction of travel. He attempted to correct the gyroplane's right roll by moving the control stick to the left, however, the aileron movement did not subside the roll. He reported that in hindsight, opening the throttle and right rudder application may have subsided the roll, "but my mental preparedness was biased to preventing a ground loop, not a dynamic rollover". However, the gyroplane continued to roll right and impacted the ground. The gyroplane came to rest on the runway and sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, right wing, and the empennage. The pilot reported that his lack of experience in the gyroplane model contributed to the accident, because the critical angle was exceeded in this gyroplane more quickly than other gyroplanes that he was accustomed to flying. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 EST
Nearest AirportNortheast Philadelphia (0nm E)
Runway33
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPitcairn PA 18 NO Series
Tail NumberN12680
Aircraft CategoryGyro
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsKinner · R55 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 39 C
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time23:54
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data