# NTSB ATL94LA039: Air & Space 18A, N6118S, Atlanta, GA, January 16, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 16, 1994, 11:35 local (16:35 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Coordinates: 33.609226, -84.48944 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6092&lon=-84.4894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3339
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3339/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA039

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF CONTROL FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Hard landing, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS FLYING POWER LINE PATROL IN THE GYROPLANE WHEN HE EXPERIENCED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENDING RIGHT TURN. EFFORTS BY THE PILOT TO CORRECT THE DESCENDING TURN FAILED. THE PILOT SELECTED A BASEBALL FIELD AND ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING. WHILE ON SHORT FINAL, THE PILOT REALIZED THAT A COLLISION WAS UNAVOIDABLE IF HE CONTINUED THE EXISTING HEADING, SO HE INITIATED A FLARE ABOUT 8 FT ABOVE THE GROUND. AS THE AIRCRAFT FELL, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE GROUND. EXAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT SYSTEM FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL EXPLANATION FOR THE INADVERTENT ENGAGEMENT OF THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM EXAMINATION ALSO FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR COMPONENT FAILURE OF ROTOR SYSTEM COMPONENTS,

## Factual narrative

On January 16, 1994, at 1135 eastern standard time, an Air and Space America, A gyroplane, N6118S collided with the ground after the aircraft entered an uncommanded right descending turn in Atlanta, Georgia. The aerial observation flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage, and the airline transport pilot was not injured. The flight departed Jonesboro, Georgia, at 1100 hours.

According to the pilot, while maneuvering about 300 feet above the ground, the aircraft entered an uncommanded right descending  turn; efforts to regain control failed. The pilot selected a baseball field and attempted an emergency landing. As the aircraft approached the touchdown point, the pilot realized that continuing the final approach heading would result in a collision with the fence around the baseball field. As the pilot flared the aircraft eight feet above the ground the main rotor blades collided with the ground.

Examination of the transmission and clutch engagement system failed to disclose a mechanical explanation for the inadvertent engagement of the clutch assembly. The main rotor system examination also failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure of rotor system components.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6118S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6118S-2018-06-26), registration cancelled 2018-06-26, S/N 18-53, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR & SPACE 18A
- Registry model: [Air & Space America 18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-space-america-18a) (registry code 0440104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane
- Serial number: 18-53
- Airframe hours: 911
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: S & G Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1993, 86 hours before
- Departed: 9A7, JONESBORO, GA
- Destination: 9A7

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 9,200 total, 600 in this make and model, 73 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 23 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL

## 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 19940116000499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940116000499A), Jan 16, 1994: Airspc 18AAIRSPC, Atlanta, GA, Substantial damage. Power line patrol. Began uncontrolled right descending turn. Flared 8FT AGL. Fell to ground. Clutch had engaged.

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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