# NTSB ATL83LA342: Air & Space 18-A, N6155S, Murray, KY, August 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1983, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Murray, KY
- Coordinates: 36.609745, -88.31089 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6097&lon=-88.3109&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: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6180
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA342
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6180/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA342

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - adequate rotor rpm - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

APRX 400 FT AGL, WHILE EXECUTING A JUMP TAKEOFF AND A RIGHT TURN, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SETTLE. IT THEN STRUCK TREES AND THEN THE GROUND. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 100 DEGREES F. THE PILOT STATED THAT MORE ATTENTION SHOULD HAVE BEEN PAID TO AMBIENT CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6155S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6155S-2006-01-19), registration cancelled 2006-01-19, S/N 18-66, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Air & Space 18-A
- Registry model: [Air & Space America 18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-space-america-18a) (registry code 0440104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane
- Serial number: 18-66
- Airframe hours: 284
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Farrington Aircraft Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 31, 1983, 33 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Brandon, runway 18, 2,100 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 5,306 total, 390 in this make and model, 5,050 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 100 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAH, 37 nm away

## 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 19830827044499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830827044499A), Aug 27, 1983: Airspc 18AAIRSPC, Murray, KY, Substantial damage. Unable to sustain flight on a climbing turnout. Settled into trees. Ambient conditions such as 100 degrees a factor

## Other investigations on N6155S (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.

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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