# NTSB ATL90DKG04: Air Command 532, N2173B, Rome, GA, June 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1990, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Rome, GA
- Coordinates: 33.399379, -83.829208 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3994&lon=-83.8292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8081
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90DKG04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8081/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90DKG04

## Probable cause

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A FLAT SPIRALING SPIN MANEUVER AT AN ALTITUDE THAT WAS TOO LOW TO EFFECT A SAFE RECOVERY.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - ground (cause)
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS DEMONSTRATING THE CAPABILITIES OF THE HOME BUILT GYROCOPTER. DURING A FLAT SPIRALING SPIN TO A REASONABLE RECOVERY ALTITUDE MANEUVER, THE MAIN ROTOR OF THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND. THE PILOT IS A LOW TIME PILOT WITH NO HELICOPTER EXPERIENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2173B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2173B-2015-05-04), registration cancelled 2015-05-04, S/N 1, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR COMMAND 532
- Registry model: [Stiles Randall Jay AIR COMMAND 532ELITE](https://openairdocs.org/model/stiles-randall-jay-air-command-532elite) (registry code 130016Q) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 16
- Engines: ROTAX 532 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Randal Stiles
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 3, 1990, 10 hours before
- Airport: RMG, Rome

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 208 total, 14 in this make and model, 186 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTY, 1 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 19900603017929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900603017929A), Jun 3, 1990: Amtrac ELITE532, Rome, GA, Substantial damage. Demonstrated gyroplane in a flat spiral without enough altitude to recover,struck ground in flat 3 point position.

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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