# Accident 20140116000829A: Auto Gyro Gmbh MTOSPORT, Tomball, TX, January 16, 2014

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 16, 2014, 11:30 local time
- Place: Tomball, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Rollout
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 30.0619° N, 95.5528° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0619&lon=-95.5528&mi=10
- Aircraft: N250TX, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N250TX) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Auto Gyro MTOSPORT (registry code 05629Y9, https://openairdocs.org/model/auto-gyro-mtosport) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rotax 912ULS series (registry code 55572, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AUTO GYRO GMBH MTOSPORT
- Reported engine: ROTAX 912ULS
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Student
- Pilot flight hours: 228 total, 155 in this make and model, 16 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN14TA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14TA116) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140116000829A

## Narrative

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

THE HOUSTON FSDO RECEIVED NOTICE OF THE TOMBALL POLICE DEPARTMENTS GYROCOPTER BEING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON 01/16/2014 AT 1215.

THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE GYROCOPTER WAS OFF TO THE EAST SIDE OF RUNWAY 17R.

I AUTHORIZED THEM TO MOVE THE GYROCOPTER TO THE HANGAR.

I ARRIVED AT THE HANGAR ON 01/22/2014 AT 1000 AND MET WITH OFFICER KEITH BITZ, THE PILOT FLYING AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

HIS STATEMENT INDICATED AFTER COMPLETING A LANDING AND WHILE TRANSITIONING TO TAXI MODE ON RUNWAY 17R AT DAVID WAYNE HOOKS AIRPORT, TOMBALL, TX. THE GYROCOPTER WAS BLOWN OFF THE RUNWAY BY A GUST OF WIND FROM THE RIGHT SIDE. THE GYROCOPTER SPUN ONTO IT'S RIGHT SIDE AND CAME TO REST IN THE GRASS ON THE EAST SIDE OF RUNWAY 17R. THERE WERE TWO PERSONS ONBOARD.

THE PILOT WAS OPERATING THE GYROCOPTER WITH ONLY HIS STUDENT PILOT'S CERTIFICATE AND THERE WAS ANOTHER TOMBALL POLICE OFFICER ONBOARD THE GRYOCOPTER AS AN OBSERVER.

THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK THE RUNWAY AND ONE BLADE LOST ABOUT SIX (6) FEET OF ONE BLADE SEPARATED FROM THE BLADE. THE MAIN ROTOR MAST WAS BENT.  THE PUSHER PROP STRUCK THE GROUND WHEN THE GYROCOPTER ROLLED OVER AND DAMAGED ALL THREE BLADES. THE TAIL OF THE GYROCOPTER WAS DESTROYED

THE REPORTED WINDS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE 240 DEGREES AT 9 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 19 KNOTS.  THE MAXIMUN CROSSWIND LIMIT FOR THE GYROCOPTER IS STATED 20 KNOTS. THE IIC TALKED WITH THE TOWER AND THE TOWER STATED THE HIGHEST GUST RECORDED DURING THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS 19 KNOTS.

## 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 CEN14TA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14TA116), Jan 16, 2014: Autogyro Mtosport (N250TX), Spring, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain the gyroplane’s rotor control during the landing roll in gusting crosswind conditions.

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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