Pilot Debrief

James Dayton Pit Bull JD-3 near Leonardtown, MD — 2008-01-27

Final reportNYC08CA093
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Date
2008-01-27
Location
Leonardtown, MD, USA
Airport
2W6
Aircraft
James Dayton Pit Bull JD-3
Registration
N6592H
Category
Gyroplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare during the landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was "crow hopping" down the runway in the amateur-built Pit Bull JD-3 gyrocopter, practicing landings and takeoffs. During one of the landings, he did not control the rate of descent, and the gyrocopter "settled" hard on the runway. After contacting the ground, the left main landing gear collapsed and the gyrocopter rolled onto its left side, substantially damaging the fuselage. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the gyrocopter. Additionally, he reported 2 hours of flight experience in a similar gyrocopter, 8 months prior to the accident. The pilot did not hold a rotorcraft-gyroplane rating.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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