Pilot Debrief

CLEM WILLIAM B III DOMINATOR GYROCOPTER near Brighton, CO — 2010-08-15

Final reportCEN10CA528
Sign in to save
Date
2010-08-15
Location
Brighton, CO, USA
Airport
C)12
Aircraft
CLEM WILLIAM B III DOMINATOR GYROCOPTER
Registration
N36MR
Category
Gyroplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the gyroplane during landing.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot was preparing to land his gyroplane when he encountered a downdraft, which increased his rate of descent. The pilot was unable to arrest the descent rate and landed hard. As a result the left main gear axle broke, causing the lower rudder strut to contact the ground. The strut bent upwards into the propeller, splintering the propeller and causing substantial damage to the rudder. The pilot reported that the downdraft was caused by an 80-degree crosswind that blew over houses just to the northeast of the runway threshold. The pilot did not report any mechanical deficiencies with the gyroplane prior to the accident.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

Related mishaps