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December 17, 2017 · Halley Kft Apollo AG-01 · N15LU

North Las Vegas, NV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 17, 2017
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
North Las Vegas, NV
Aircraft
Halley Kft Apollo AG-01 (2016)
Tail Number
N15LU
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA18CA086

According to the pilot of the experimental amateur-built gyroplane, he landed on a taxiway and taxied to the runway intersection. The intersection was on the right side of runway 30R. The ramp where the pilot wanted to park, was across both runways, on the left side of runway 30L. Unfamiliar with the capabilities of the gyroplane, the tower controller asked the pilot to air taxi to the ramp. The pilot informed the tower controller that he could either ground taxi or takeoff and land on runway 30L then taxi to the ramp. The controller and the pilot agreed to the latter. The pilot further reported that, in anticipation of taxiing to parking, he had allowed the gyroplane's rotor speed to decrease; when he turned the gyroplane back onto the taxiway in the gusting wind, the main rotor struck the empennage and the pusher-propeller. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage and rotor system. The METAR at the accident airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 330° at 14 kts and gusting to 19 kts. The pilot reported that this accident could have been prevented if he had waited for the rotor blades to stop completely before repositioning the gyroplane for taxi. 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 stop the main rotor rotation before taxiing the gyroplane in gusting wind conditions, resulting in the main rotor striking the empennage.

Full Narrative

According to the pilot in the experimental amateur-built gyroplane, he landed on a taxiway and taxied to the runway intersection. The intersection was on the right side of runway 30R. The ramp where the pilot wanted to park, was across both runways, on the left side of runway 30L. Unfamiliar with the capabilities of the gyroplane, the tower asked the pilot to air taxi to the ramp. The pilot informed the tower that he could either ground taxi, or takeoff and land on runway 30L, then taxi to the ramp. Tower and the pilot agreed to the latter. He further reported that in anticipation of taxiing to parking, he had allowed the Gyroplane's rotor speed to decrease, and when he turned the gyroplane back onto the taxiway in the gusting wind, the main rotor struck the empennage and the pusher-propeller. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage and rotor system. The METAR at the accident airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 330° at 14kts and gusting to 19kts. Per the National Transportation Safety Board's Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot identified in the Owner Safety Recommendation section, that this accident could have been prevented if he had waited for the rotor blades to stop completely before repositioning the gyroplane for taxi. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:40 PST
Nearest AirportNorth Las Vegas (0nm S)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHalley Kft Apollo AG-01
Tail NumberN15LU
Aircraft CategoryGyro
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912ULS · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 48 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 14 kt, gusting 19 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 16 C
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time23:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data