20020126000689A

(.19) On January 26, 2002, about 1242 eastern standard time, an unregistered Vortex gyrocraft, owned by the accident pilot, crashed on the Immokalee Airport, Immokalee, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR part 91 personal flight. The gyrocraft was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, was fatally injured. The flight originated about 5 minutes earlier from the Immokalee Airport. The accident occurred during the third flight of the day, and according to a witness, before beginning the first flight of the day, the accident pilot installed the main rotor blades. The first flight lasted approximately 10 minutes. After landing the accident pilot reported to the witness that he encountered, "stick shake" during the flight. The accident pilot adjusted the main rotor blades then departed on the second flight which lasted approximately 20 minutes. The witness reported that the accident pilot advised with words to the effect that during the second flight, the gyrocraft was flying a little better. The accident pilot performed a slight adjustement to the main rotor blades and fueled the fuel tank to about 3/4 capacity. The flight then departed, returned, and when flying approximately 50 feet above ground level, at an estimated airspeed of between 55 and 60 mph, near the witness' position, began a gradual yaw to the left. The gyrocraft then rolled left to an inverted position, pitched nose down, and impacted the ground. The witness reported he did not hear a change in engine sound from the time the gyrocraft was flying near his position to the time the gyrocraft began yawing and he did not perceive an engine malfunction. (-23) gyroplane was observed flying at an altitude of approximately 50 to 75 feet, over the Immokalee Airport, (imm) pilot's feet were observed hanging outside the aircraft, during a left turn gyroplane rolled left, nose tucked and gyroplane impacted the ground nose first. Pilot received fatal injuries, aircraft was destroyed. No evidence of flight control or mechanical malfunction was found during post crash inspection. Pilot did not have gyroplane rating required to operate this gyroplane. Gyroplane was not registered nor did it have an airworthiness certificate. (.4) history of flight: on January 26, 2002, about 1242 eastern standard time, an unregistered Vortex gyroplane, owned by the accident pilot, crashed on the Immokalee Airport, Immokalee, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR part 91 personal flight. The gyroplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, was fatally injured. The flight originated about 5 minutes earlier from the Immokalee Airport. The accident occurred during the third flight of the day, and according to a witness, before beginning the first flight of the day, the accident pilot installed the main rotor blades. The first flight lasted approximately 10 minutes. After landing, the accident pilot reported to the witness that he encountered, "stick shake" during the flight. The accident pilot adjusted the main rotor blades then departed on the second flight which lasted approximately 20 minutes. The witness reported that the accident pilot advised with words to the effect that during the second flight, the gyroplane was flying a little better. The accident pilot performed a slight adjustment to the main rotor blades and filled the fuel tank to about 3/4 capacity. The flight then departed, and returned flying approximately 50 feet above ground level, at an estimated airspeed of between 55 and 60 mph; the pilot's feet were observed outside the cockpit. When the flight was near the witness' position, the gyroplane began a gradual yaw to the left. The gyroplane then rolled left to an inverted position, pitched nose down, and impacted the ground. The witness also reported he did not hear a change in engine sound from the time the gyrocraft was flying near his position to the time the gyrocraft began yawing and he did not perceive an engine malfunction.