# NTSB ATL89DLT01: Cameron AIR Command, N169WC, Hixson, TN, October 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: October 14, 1988, 18:17 local (22:17 UTC)
- Place: Hixson, TN
- Coordinates: 35.160152, -85.20082 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1602&lon=-85.2008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7842
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89DLT01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7842/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89DLT01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - cyclic - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper training, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE GYROCOPTER OSCILLATING IN THE PITCH AXIS AS IT PASSED OVERHEAD IN CRUISE FLIGHT. A 'WHITE OR SHINY' OBJECT DEPARTED THE GYROCOPTER. THE AIRCRAFT THEN ROLLED RIGHT, DESCENDED AND COLLIDED WITH THE TREES AND GROUND, INVERTED. ONE PROPELLER BLADE HAD SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT AND WAS FOUND 520 FEET FROM THE CRASH SITE. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE SEPARATED PROPELLER BLADE AND ONE MAIN ROTOR BLADE HAD COLLIDED INFLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N169WC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N169WC-2013-07-16), registration cancelled 2013-07-16, S/N 1WC (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CAMERON AIR COMMAND (AIR COMMAN)
- Registry model: [Cameron Wendell AIR COMMAND 532](https://openairdocs.org/model/cameron-wendell-air-command-532) (registry code 13027KC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1 WC
- Engines: ROTAX 532 42 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Windel A. Cameron
- Registered owner: Windel A Cameron
- Departed: IAO, CHATTANOOGA, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4 total, 4 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19881014047619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881014047619A), Oct 14, 1988: Amtrac ELITE532, Chattangooga, TN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Indicates pilot-induced oscillations caused the main rotor to strike the prop. Crashed inverted. Not certificated.

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.