Pilot Debrief

BRUPBACHER CHRIS CB2000 near Reserve, LA — 2014-09-21

Final reportCEN14LA508
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Date
2014-09-21
Location
Reserve, LA, USA
Airport
1L0
Aircraft
BRUPBACHER CHRIS CB2000
Registration
N5002E
Category
Gyroplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The failure of the flight control rod bearing due to an undetected preexisting corrosion-induced crack, which resulted in the main rotor blades going to full pitch and the rotor mast folding; this allowed the pusher propeller to strike and sever the tail.

NTSB narrative

Witnesses reported observing the gyroplane take off from the runway, turn left onto the crosswind leg, and climb to about 200 ft. They then saw something fall off the gyroplane before it crashed into an adjacent canal and sank. Postaccident examination revealed that the flight control rod bearing stud exhibited extensive corrosion, consistent with the crack being present before impact. When the rod bearing failed, the main rotor blades went to full pitch, which placed an excessive load on the rotor mast. The rotor mast then folded, which allowed the pusher propeller to strike and sever the tail. The pilot had owned the airplane for 3 years; no records for the gyroplane were located.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have ensured flight controls were fully functional before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 13 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents13

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