Pilot Debrief

ATKINS JOHN RAF 2000 G near South Prairie, WA — 2009-05-09

Final reportWPR09CA232
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Date
2009-05-09
Location
South Prairie, WA, USA
Airport
02WA
Aircraft
ATKINS JOHN RAF 2000 G
Registration
N1435X
Category
Gyroplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's abrupt maneuver to avoid a collision that resulted in an airspeed reduction and subsequent loss of lift provided by the rotor system. Contributing to the accident was the failure of both pilots to maintain an adequate visual lookout for other aircraft in the traffic pattern.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during takeoff initial climb from the uncontrolled airport, at 50 feet above ground level, he heard the sound of an airplane coming towards him from the left and saw a shadow of the airplane on the ground merging with his, and initiated an abrupt turn of 90 degrees to the right to avoid a collision. Upon completion of the turn, the pilot noticed that he had lost a significant amount of airspeed and was heading toward a residential structure. The pilot initiated a second turn to the right to miss the house and attempted to regain airspeed. Subsequently, the gyroplane impacted terrain adjacent to the runway. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the flight control system or engine prior to the accident. A witness located adjacent to the accident site reported that another aircraft was apparently making a high-speed pass over the runway and overflew the gyroplane as it was taking off.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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