# NTSB CEN09CA539: Dunn David RAF 2000 C, N2107, Lakeville, MN, August 17, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 17, 2009, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Lakeville, MN - Coordinates: 44.623611, -93.228057 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6236&lon=-93.2281&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-MSP-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74584 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA539 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74584/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74584 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA539 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during the landing flare. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Dunn David RAF 2000 CLONE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=0561706), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dunn David RAF 2000 CLONE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0561706), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Dunn David RAF 2000 CLONE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0561706), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Dunn David RAF 2000 CLONE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0561706), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Dunn David RAF 2000 CLONE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=0561706), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis While landing the gyroplane, the pilot stated that his "initial" flare at an altitude of 15 to 20 feet above the runway was normal. At 5 feet above the runway, the gyroplane ballooned and the pilot added power to recover. The gyroplane then yawed to the right. The pilot applied left rudder, but touchdown occurred prior to the gyroplane being aligned with the runway. The gyroplane's nose spun to the left when the main wheels touched down and the gyroplane rolled onto its right side. ## Factual narrative While landing the gyroplane, the pilot stated his "initial" flare at an altitude of 15 to 20 feet above the runway was normal. At 5 feet above the runway, the gyroplane ballooned and the pilot added power to recover. The gyroplane then yawed to the right. The pilot applied left rudder, but touchdown occurred prior to the gyroplane being aligned with the runway. The gyroplane's nose spun to the left when the main wheels touched down and the gyroplane rolled onto its right side. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2107](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2107-2017-04-04), registration cancelled 2017-04-04, S/N DD-JL72404, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DUNN DAVID RAF 2000 C - Registry model: [Dunn David RAF 2000 CLONE](https://openairdocs.org/model/dunn-david-raf-2000-clone) (registry code 0561706) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Subaru ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 59050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: DD-JL72404 - Airframe hours: 127 - Engines: SUBARU EJ22 130 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Christopher Awe - Registered owner: Christopher Awe - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 8, 2009 - Departed: LVN, Lakeville, MN - Destination: LVN, Lakeville, MN - Airport: LVN, Airlake, runway 30, 4,098 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 28, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 102 total, 33 in this make and model, 39 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: LVN ## 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 20090817049059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090817049059A), Aug 17, 2009: Dunn David RAF 2000 CL, Lakeville, MN, Substantial damage. While practicing touch and go's in the patern at the lakeview airport, at approximately 1745 on final approach to runway 30 for the third landing an initial… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 14, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74584. 663 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 606 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318267&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318268&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF 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.