# NTSB ATL87DLQ01: Air Command CDR Elite 532, N2562, Paducah, KY, February 1, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: February 1, 1987, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Paducah, KY
- Coordinates: 37.070125, -88.629188 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0701&lon=-88.6292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7245
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87DLQ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7245/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87DLQ01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - incapacitation(other cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE CONDUCTING LOCAL TRAFFIC PATTERN TRAINING, THE GYROPLANE UNDERSHOT RUNWAY 22 DURING AN ATTEMPTED LANDING. THE PLT WAS KILLED IN THE CRASH. THE INVESTIGATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY AIRCRAFT PROBLEMS. THE AUTOPSY REVEALED SEVERE CORONARY ARTERISCLEROSIS WITH FOCAL COMPLETE OCCLUSION OF THE LEFT ANTERIOR DESCENDING ARTERY, 75% NARROWING OF THE RIGHT CORONARY ARTERY, 50% NARROWING OF THE LEFT CIRCUMFLEX CORONARY ARTERY, AND INTRAMYOCARDIAL INTERSTITIAL FIBROSIS WITH SCATTERED HEALED MICROINFARCTS. THE PATHOLOGIST CONSIDERED CARDIAC ARRYTHMIA, IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE CRASH, TO BE HIGHLY PROBABLE. THE PLT HAD CORONARY BYPASS SURGERY IN 1983. HIS APPLICATION FOR A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS DENIED 9/16/84. THE PILOT'S CERTIFICATE AND MEDICAL FOUND AFTER THE ACCIDENT WERE FORGERIES ACCORDING TO THE FAA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2562](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2562-2013-09-13), registration cancelled 2013-09-13, S/N 0226 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR COMMAND CDR ELITE 532 (CDR ELITE)
- Registry model: [Samuels Walter C 532 COMMANDER ELITE](https://openairdocs.org/model/samuels-walter-c-532-commander-elite) (registry code 13027GG) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane
- Airframe hours: 10
- Engines: ROTAX 360 38 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Walter C.Samuels
- Registered owner: Walter C Samuels
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: KY29, Farrington Airpark, runway 22, 5,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 5 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAH, 15 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 19870201044349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870201044349A), Feb 1, 1987: Amtrac ELITE532, Paducah, KY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The gyroplane impacted the ground near the runway. Suspect arrythmia advanced arteriosclerotic disease are factors.

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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