Pilot Debrief

Lunceford Sparrowhawk II near Tell City, IN — 2010-07-27

Final reportCEN10LA442
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Date
2010-07-27
Location
Tell City, IN, USA
Airport
KTEL
Aircraft
Lunceford Sparrowhawk II
Registration
N91814
Category
Gyroplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of control of the gyroplane for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The experimental amateur-built gyroplane was maneuvering in the traffic pattern when it descended into a heavily wooded area adjacent to the airport. There were no eyewitnesses to the final moments of the flight; however, several individuals reported hearing a sudden decrease in engine noise immediately before ground impact. There was limited damage to the dense overhead foliage at the accident site, consistent with a near-vertical descent path. The entire gyroplane was extensively damaged during a postaccident ground fire, which precluded the determination of any potential preimpact engine or flight control system malfunctions. Although the leading edge of the main rotor blades did not exhibit any appreciable impact damage, the damage to the engine propeller blades and nearby tree branches was consistent with engine rotation as the gyroplane descended vertically through the trees. The gyroplane's near-vertical descent through the trees and the minimal damage to the main rotor system was consistent with an aerodynamic stall.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the maneuver after hearing the engine noise decrease.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents13

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