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October 12, 2019 · Autogyro Gmbh MTO Sport · N498AG

Montgomery, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 12, 2019
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Montgomery, TX
Aircraft
Autogyro Gmbh MTO Sport (2014)
Tail Number
N498AG
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN20TA007

The sport pilot was departing for a personal, cross-country flight in a gyroplane from a field through an opening of trees. During departure, the pilot realized that the gyroplane did not have sufficient altitude to clear trees. The pilot maneuvered the gyroplane, but it impacted trees and then came to rest nose down on the left side of the fuselage. The pilot reported that there no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that the accident could have been prevented by "measuring the length of the field before taking off." Therefore, it is likely that the pilot's failure to adequately assess the suitability of the field for takeoff resulted in the collision with trees.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during departure. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight assessment of the field for takeoff.

Full Narrative

On October 12, 2019, about 1530 central daylight time, an amateur-built experimental AutoGyro GmbH MTO Sport gyroplane, N498AG, impacted trees during takeoff from a remote field near Montgomery, Texas. The sport pilot sustained serious injuries and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage. The gyroplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a visual flight rules personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from a private ranch near Hempstead, Texas, about 1445, and was destined for the Livingston Municipal Airport (00R), Livingston, Texas. The pilot reported that while inflight, his electronic tablet he was utilizing for navigation failed. The pilot decided to land to a field in a private ranch and troubleshoot the electronic tablet. After troubleshooting the tablet, the pilot departed from the field to the northwest. During the takeoff toward an opening in the trees, the pilot realized that was not adequate obstacle clearance. He turned to the south and the gyroplane impacted trees. After impacting the trees, the gyroplane came to rest in a nose-down profile on the left side of the fuselage as shown below in figure 1. The pilot and passenger were able to egress from the wreckage without further incident. Figure 1 – View of the wreckage (courtesy of the pilot). The gyroplane was not equipped with an emergency locator transmitter, nor was it required to be. After the accident, hunters on the property transported the occupants to a highway where first responders were contacted. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, the fuselage, and the empennage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation. In the safety recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented by "measuring the length of the field before taking off."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAutogyro Gmbh MTO Sport
Tail NumberN498AG
Aircraft CategoryGyro
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax Aircraft Engines · 914UL · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Sprt · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 45 C
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time19:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data