# NTSB ATL07CA006: McCullough J-2, N4362G, Indian Trail, NC, October 12, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 12, 2006, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Indian Trail, NC - Coordinates: 35.119167, -80.585556 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1192&lon=-80.5856&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Charlotte FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 64706 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL07CA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64706/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07CA006 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusting wind conditions and his improper landing flare during an emergency landing after takeoff resulting in a hard landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts - Hard landing, emergency landing after takeoff - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis According to the pilot, "on takeoff roll runway 22, approximately midfield, [the] aircraft encountered strong gusting right crosswind. Traveling about 60 knots, I applied full right rudder but was pushed off [the] left edge of the runway. After rotation at approximately 50 feet agl, wind gust from [the] right again pushed aircraft left, toward off-airport utility building. I applied left correction to avoid collision and attempted emergency landing in adjacent field. Aircraft landed hard and sustained damage." There were no mechanical problems discovered during the post-accident examination of the gyroplane. ## Factual narrative On October 12, 2006, at 1300 eastern daylight time, a McCullough J-2 Gyroplane, N4362G, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with the ground shortly after takeoff for runway 22 at the Goose Creek Airport, in Indian Trail, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The gyroplane received substantial damage. The private pilot reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, "on takeoff roll runway 22, approximately midfield, [the] aircraft encountered strong gusting right crosswind. Traveling about 60 knots, I applied full right rudder but was pushed off [the] left edge of the runway. After rotation at approximately 50 feet agl, wind gust from [the] right again pushed aircraft left, toward off-airport utility building. I applied left correction to avoid collision and attempted emergency landing in adjacent field. Aircraft landed hard and sustained damage." Examination of the gyroplane by an FAA Inspector found the landing gear struts bent, damage to the nose cowling, broken windshield, broken rotor blades, broken tail boom, and a damaged propeller. There were no mechanical problems discovered during the post-accident examination of the gyroplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4362G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4362G-2012-11-09), registration cancelled 2012-11-09, S/N 072, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: McCullough J-2 - Registry model: [Mcculloch J-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcculloch-j-2) (registry code 5500604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane - Serial number: 72 - Airframe hours: 511 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David W. Adams - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2006, 11 hours before - Departed: 28A, Indian Trail, NC - Destination: GEV, Jefferson, NC - Airport: 28A, Goose Creek Airport, runway 22, 2,350 × 35 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 570 total, 4 in this make and model, 474 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 13 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: EQY ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20061012021439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061012021439A), Oct 12, 2006: Aerors J2, Indian Trail, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) On 10/12/2006, a mcculloch aircraft corp J2 aircraft, registration number N4362G, piloted by [privacy data omitted] departed runway 22 at the goose creek… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.