Pilot Debrief

BERTRAM WILLIAM J BERTRAM 2000 near Shiocton, WI — 2012-07-21

Final reportCEN12CA464
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Date
2012-07-21
Location
Shiocton, WI, USA
Airport
W34
Aircraft
BERTRAM WILLIAM J BERTRAM 2000
Registration
N115WB
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s distraction with taking photographs, which resulted in his failure to maintain sufficient altitude to avoid the guy wire.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the gyrocopter reported that he was taking aerial photos of the airport. He stated he was flying toward the airport and trying to take photos when he realized he was getting too close to the airport. He initiated a turn downwind away from the airport at which time the gyrocopter lost altitude. The lower right side of the fuselage and the right landing gear strut contacted a guy wire attached to a utility pole alongside the highway that bordered the south side of the airport. The gyrocopter then descended, impacted terrain, and came to rest in a ditch alongside the highway, which resulted in substantial damage to the vertical tail surfaces and the main rotor blades. The pilot stated that he was distracted by trying to use the camera and that he was not paying attention to the surroundings when the accident occurred.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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