# NTSB ATL81FKJ36: Air & Space 18A, N6154S, Huntsville, AL, September 13, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: September 13, 1981
- Place: Huntsville, AL · HUNTSVILLE, AL
- Location: 34.7304° N, 86.5861° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Huntsville, AL, within about 9 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7304&lon=-86.5861&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 13, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123679
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL81FKJ36
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FKJ36

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2038  81/9/13    HUNTSVILLE,AL       AIR & SPACE 18A     CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 43, 36 TOTAL
        TIME - 1700                    N6154S              PX-  0  0  0  PRACTICE                  HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MADISON COUNTY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HUNTSVILLE,AL               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
        REMARKS- RAISED NOSE & BGN HI RATE OF DSCNT DRG LNDG APCH.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6154S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AIR & SPACE 18A
- Category: Gyroplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Madison County

## 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 19810913058989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810913058989A), Sep 13, 1981: Airspc 18AAIRSPC, Huntsville, AL, Substantial damage. Overshooting touchdown point, raised nose to shorten approach. Sink rate too high. Impact severe. Major damage.

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.

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