19990912026219A

(.19) On September 12, 1999, at 1500 central daylight time, a spagnoletti air command 582, homebuilt gyroplane, N813AC, entered an uncontrolled descent during the takeoff/initial climb on runway 19 at the Montgomery County Airport, near Conroe, Texas. The aircraft was operated by a private owner under 14 code of federal regulations (CFR) part 91. The private pilot, sole occupant, received fatal injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed. Local authorities and witnesses reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge that the builder/owner of the gyroplane had flown the aircraft at approx. 1430. Following this flight, no aircraft discrepancies were reported by the pilot. Subsequently, the accident pilot taxied the gyroplane to runway 14 for departure. Following the departure, the pilot flew the gyroplane approx. 10 to 15 feet above the runway, landed on runway 14, exited at taxiway charlie, and taxied to the ramp. A subsequent departure was performed on runway 19. During the takeoff/initial climb, the gyroplane was observed in a nose hight attitude, right bank, at approx. 25 0 ft AGL and gaining altitude, when the rear main rotor balde appeared to stop moving and the front main rotor blade appeared to fold back on itself. The gyroplane, under full power, nose dived onto the right side of taxiwaydelta and continued into the grassy area near the taxiway before coming to rest. Examination by the FAA inspector and the NTSB investigator-in-charge revealed structural damage throughout the gyroplane. The main wreckage distribution path was on a measured magnetic heading of 220 degrees. Pieces of a main rotor blade were found approx. 300 feet from the main wreckage. (.4)on September 12, 1999, at 1500 central daylight time, a spagnoletti air command 582, homebuilt gyroplane, N813AC, was destroyed when it impacted terrain during takeoff/initial climb at the Montgomery County Airport, near Conroe, Texas. The aircraft was registered to and operated by a private individual under 14 code of federal regulations part 91. The private pilot, sole occupant, received fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed for the flight. The local flight originated after the builder/owner's flight at 1430. Local authorities and witnesses reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge (iic) that earlier that day, the builder/owner had performed a preflight during which he went over the entire gyroplane and found no discrepancies. The builder/owner then flew the gyroplane at approximately 1430, and following his flight, no aircraft discrepancies were reported. During a telephone interview with the NTSB iic, he stated that the "gyroplane was 100 percent perfect for flight." The accident pilot taxied the gyroplane to runway 14 for departure. Following the takeoff, the pilot flew the gyroplane approximately 10 to 15 feet above the runway, landed on runway 14, exited at taxiway charlie, and taxied to the ramp. At the ramp, the pilot remained in the gyroplane and talked with the builder/owner for several minutes. A subsequent takeoff was performed on runway 19. Witnesses reported that the gyroplane began to gain altitude, "it was in stair step increments not a smooth transition." During the climb to approximately 250 feet AGL, the gyroplane was observed to "list to the left," and the engine seemed to "power down, like it was under a load." Subsequently, power was applied, and the gyroplane was at "approximately a 60 degree angle" in a "sharp right bank" when the rear main rotor blade appeared to stop moving and the front main rotor blade appeared to fold back on itself. Witnesses observed the gyroplane, under full power, nose dive onto the right side of taxiway delta and continue into the grassy area near the taxiway before coming to rest. One witness stated that the gyroplane "pitched down, then pitched up, then seemed to pitch down again when it suddenly quit flying and went straight down." The builder/owner stated that the pilot "unloaded the blades, the blades flapped, and with the engine at full power, the gyroplane entered a somersault." (-23) the single place gyrocopter, N813AC departed runway 19 at cxo. It appeared to witnesses the pilot was step climbing. At approximately 200-400 feet AGL the gyrocopter appeared to bank slightly to the left, and then to the right. The aircraft then pitched up approximately 60 degrees and it appeared to the witnesses the main rotor blade stopped in a position which left it in line with the longitudinal axis. It was at this point that the forward rotor blade appeared to fold upward and rearward toward the center of the aircraft. The gyrocopter departed controlled flight and crashed in a nose down inverted right rolling attitude onto the southern most part the taxiway that parallels runway 19. The pilot, and only occupant was killed upon impact. There were no injuries to any persons on the ground.