# Accident 20030519010809A: Airspc 18AAIRSPC, South Shore, SD, May 19, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 19, 2003, 01:20 local time
- Place: South Shore, SD
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Normal Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 45.1025° N, 96.8847° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1025&lon=-96.8847&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6155S, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6155S-2006-01-19) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Air & Space America 18A (registry code 0440104, https://openairdocs.org/model/air-space-america-18a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-360-A1D (registry code 41504, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIRSPC 18AAIRSPC
- Reported engine: LYC O360A1D
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Student
- Pilot flight hours: 60 total, 60 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI03LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA133) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030519010809A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON MAY 18, 2003, STUDENT PILOT DR. JOHN T. BARR DEPARTED MARION KANSAS WITH HIS GYRO PLANE. HE ARRIVED AT SIOUX FALLS, SD (FSD) AT APPROXIMATELY 1145 PM. ACCORDING TO THE FSD ATC TAPE, MR. BARR STATED THAT HE WAS PLANNING TO CONTINUE ON THAT EVENING TO SISSETON SD. MR. BARR ENCOUNTERED RAIN SHOWERS ENROUTE TO FSD AND ALSO THE FSD TOWER SAID HE COULD EXPECT MORE RAIN ENROUTE TO SISSETON. HE REFUELED AT FSD AND DEPARTED AT APPROXIMATELY 00:55 LOCAL TIME MAY 19, 2003. MSP CENTER RADAR TRACKED THE GYROPLANE FROM FSD TO AN AREA NORTH OF BROOKINGS AND SOUTH OF SOUTH SHORE, SD. MSP CENTER DID NOT RECEIVE ANY MORE RADAR HITS FROM THAT POINT. SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS WERE LAUNCHED. ON MAY 21, 2003 AT APPROXIMATELY 1245 LOCAL TIME, THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 MILES NE OF SOUTH SHORE, SOUTH DAKOTA. THE GYROPLANE BURNED ON IMPACT AND THE PILOT RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES. THE APPROXIMATE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS ESTIMATED AT 0620 ZULU 5/19/03. INSPECTOR GARY SOLDWISCH ASSISTED WITH THE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND WAS ON SITE OF THE ACCIDENT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI03LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA133), May 19, 2003: Air & Space 18A (N6155S), South Shore, SD, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. The pilot's lack of experience, the rain, the dark night, the low ceiling, and the rising terrain were contributing factors to the accident.

## Other reports on N6155S (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19960507017569I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960507017569I), May 7, 1996: Airspc 18AIRSPC (N6155S), Paducah, KY, Minor damage. *On 05-07-96, an air & space, model gyroplane 18-A, N6155S, being operated by Mr. John potter at Farrington airpark, Paducah, KY tipped over on take off. *the…
- [Accident 19830827044499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830827044499A), Aug 27, 1983: Airspc 18AAIRSPC (N6155S), Murray, KY, Substantial damage. Unable to sustain flight on a climbing turnout. Settled into trees. Ambient conditions such as 100 degrees a factor

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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