Pilot Debrief

STUART VORTEX near Scappoose, OR — 2013-08-31

Final reportWPR13FA393
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Date
2013-08-31
Location
Scappoose, OR, USA
Airport
SPB
Aircraft
STUART VORTEX
Registration
N43259
Category
Gyroplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The student pilot's unintentional takeoff followed by his failure to maintain control of the gyroplane during the landing approach. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot’s lack of both flight training and flight experience and his lack of a solo endorsement.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's lack of both flight training and flight experience and his lack of a solo endorsement.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot intended to perform a series of high-speed taxi tests and "crow hops" in the single-seat gyroplane. During the first test, the gyroplane lifted off and climbed to about 30 feet. After flying about half the length of the runway, the pilot reduced engine power for landing, appeared to encounter control difficulties, and then applied power and initiated a go-around. The gyroplane continued to climb and joined the crosswind and then downwind legs of the traffic pattern. As the gyroplane approached the base leg, it rolled aggressively to the left in a nose-high attitude and then rapidly descended to the ground in an uncontrolled manner. Most of the gyroplane's structure was consumed by postimpact fire. Examination of the remaining engine, rotor, and flight control system components did not reveal any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Witness marks indicated that the engine was producing power during the descent. Damage to the rotor system indicated that the main rotor blades diverged greatly from their track during flight, striking both the forward cabin structure and the engine driven propeller. The student pilot had very limited flight experience and began his flight training in a fixed wing airplane the year prior. He was not approved for and had not conducted solo flight in the accident gyroplane or any other aircraft.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot should not have attempted solo flight without proper endorsement.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • Photos
  • 9 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents9

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