19981103034389A

On November 3, 1998, at 0950 eastern standard time, a homebuilt RAF-2000 gyroplane, N52BP, was substantially damaged after a loss of control and collision with terrain during landing at the Doylestown Airport (dyl), Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight that originated at dyl exact time unknown. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR part 91. In a telephone interview, the pilot said he departed on a local flight without obtaining a weather briefing and remained in the traffic pattern for runway 05. He said: "I was coming in on final for 05 and there was a crosswind from the left and it was kind of gusty. Just before touchdown, I got out of position. I came in on kind of an angle and the wind got under the rotors and rolled me over." When questioned about the airworthiness of the gyroplane, the pilot stated it was "...performing fine." He said he had a total flight experience of approximately 140 hours; 50 hours of which were in the gyroplane. Winds reported at the willow grove navel air station, 10 miles south of Doylestown, were from 010 degreesat 7 knots. (.4) the pilot flew three traffic patterns in the gyroplane. He reported that he was experiencing difficulty with the gusty, crosswind conditions due to fatigue. On the fourth approach with a crosswind from the left, the gyroplane bounced during the landing, rolled to the right, and collided with terrain. The pilot said there were no mechanical deficiencies with the gyroplane, and the accident could have been prevented if he was 'better rested and mentally sharp.' (-23) pilot stated he encountered some gusty winds on landing and lost control of the gyroplane. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The pilot was not injured.