# NTSB BFO86FID08: Milliken Gyrocopter B-80, N202M, Suffolk, VA, May 10, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1986, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Suffolk, VA
- Coordinates: 36.699703, -76.630676 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6997&lon=-76.6307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11228
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO86FID08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11228/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86FID08

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO A PLT WITNESS THE ACCIDENT PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO COMPENSATE FOR AN INCREASE IN WIND VELOCITY WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE WITNESS STATED THE PLT ENTERED A STEEP DIVE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE INCREASE LIFT FOLLOWED BY THE GYROCOPTER BALLOONING DUE TO THE INCREASE IN AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED FROM THE DIVE. THE GRYOCOPTER THEN NOSED OVER AND THE ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE RUDDER. THE GYROCOPTER THEN DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED TO GROUND IMPACT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, maneuvering
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N202M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N202M-1991-03-29), registration cancelled 1991-03-29, S/N CWM001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MILLIKEN GYROCOPTER B-80 (GYROCOPTER)
- Registry model: [Milliken Charles W B-80](https://openairdocs.org/model/milliken-charles-w-b-80) (registry code 130012N) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: CWM001
- Airframe hours: 10
- Engines: McCulloch 4318G 72 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: C.W. Milliken
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, April 24, 1986, 10 hours before
- Departed: SUFFOLK, VA
- Destination: PORTSMOUTH, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 5 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 17 knots, gusting 6
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHF, 22 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 19860510027249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860510027249A), May 10, 1986: Amtrbx BENSENB8/, Suffolk, VA, Destroyed. Improperly lowered pitch to compensate for extra lift. Blades flapped, hit rudder. Uncontrolled descent to impact.

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.