# NTSB ATL87DLQ03: Air & Space 18A, N6154S, Paducah, KY, May 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1987, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Paducah, KY
- Coordinates: 37.069175, -88.630699 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0692&lon=-88.6307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7247
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87DLQ03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7247/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87DLQ03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - roll/run
  - flt control syst,rudder control - incorrect (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
- Main gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - landing gear,main gear - failure,total

## Analysis

THE GRYOPLANE HAD BEEN OVERHAULED TO NEW SPECIFICATIONS AND WAS MAKING ITS FIRST TEST FLIGHT. DURING TAKEOFF THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A SLIGHT LEFT YAW, AND ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE YAW ONLY INCREASED IT. THE PLT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AND THE ACFT LANDED IN A YAWED CONDITION. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE RUDDER CABLES HAD BEEN INCORRECTLY HOOKED UP, RESULTING IN REVERSE RUDDER COMMAND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6154S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AIR & SPACE 18A
- Category: Gyroplane
- Serial number: 18-65
- Airframe hours: 490
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Ira D.Farrington
- Registered owner: Farrington Aircraft Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 6, 1987
- Airport: runway 4, 2,985 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; flight instructor, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 25,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 19870519014179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870519014179A), May 19, 1987: Airspc 18AAIRSPC, Paducah, KY, Substantial damage. The pilot lost control of the gyroplane after takeoff. Rudder control system was found connected backwards.

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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