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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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May 7, 2018 · Christopher Lord ELA 07 Scorpion NO Series · N534EA

Sebring, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 7, 2018
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Sebring, FL
Aircraft
Christopher Lord ELA 07 Scorpion NO Series (2017)
Tail Number
N534EA
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA18TA144

The pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings in the experimental, amateur-built gyroplane. He landed on the runway and began a left turn to the taxiway. A witness stated that the rotor blades had a "high speed" of rotation after the gyroplane landed and that a main rotor blade struck the runway. Subsequently, the gyroplane spun and rolled onto its right side, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, main rotor, and tail section. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. He recommended that the accident might have been prevented by "slow[ing] down while making turns."

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

On May 7, 2018, about 1145 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Ela 07 Scorpion gyroplane, N534EA, was substantially damaged during the landing rollout at Sebring Regional Airport (SEF), Sebring, Florida. The student pilot sustained serious injuries. The gyroplane was operated by the student pilot as a personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident for the local flight.According to the pilot, he was flying in the pattern practicing takeoffs and landings. After landing on runway 1, during the landing roll, he began a left turn to exit the runway when the gyroplane "tipped" and rolled onto the right side. According to a witness, after the gyroplane landed on runway 1, the rotor blades still had a "high speed" of rotation. When the aircraft started turning to a taxiway on the left, a main rotor blade struck the runway, the gyroplane spun 180° to the right, and impacted the ground, coming to rest on its right side. Examination of the gyroplane revealed that one of the main rotor blades impacted the front of the fuselage and a section of the other main rotor blade was impact separated and located about 350 ft from the wreckage. The tail section remained attached to the fuselage. The flight controls were intact, and no binding was noted when they were operated. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did state in the Recommendation Section of the submitted NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident report that the accident might have been prevented by "slow[ing] down while making turns."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:45 EDT
Nearest AirportSebring Rgnl (0nm S)
Runway01
Runway Length5234 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftChristopher Lord ELA 07 Scorpion NO Series
Tail NumberN534EA
Aircraft CategoryGyro
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 914UL · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Sprt · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time15:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data