# NTSB BFO93LA068: Leveck Vancraft, Hebron, OH, May 2, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1993, 16:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place: Hebron, OH
- Coordinates: 39.960632, -82.490783 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9606&lon=-82.4908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11930
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11930/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA068

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE FLYING THE GYROPLANE WITH A BODY ENCLOSURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY SAW THE GYROPLANE TAKEOFF AND REACH AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 100 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL.  THEY SAID THAT THE GYROPLANE TRAVELED NORTH AND THEN TURNED STEEPLY TO THE WEST.  THEY STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER THE TURN WAS INITIATED, THE GYROPLANE FELL STRAIGHT DOWN TO THE GROUND.  THE WITNESSES SAID THAT THEY HEARD THE ENGINE SPUTTER AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES WERE MOVING 'SLOWLY' AROUND DURING THE DESCENT.  THE POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION DID NOT REVEAL ANY AIRFRAME OR ENGINE ANOMALIES.  A FRIEND OF THE PILOT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST FLIGHT IN THE GYROPLANE AFTER HE ADDED A 'BODY ENCLOSURE' TO IT.  THE PILOT HELD AN FAA STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LEVECK VANCRAFT
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 103
- Engines: ROTAX 532 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Operator: Jack Leveck
- Registered owner: Jack Leveck
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; student; medical: class 3, expired; flight hours: 103 total, 103 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CMH, 1 nm away

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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