# NTSB CEN10CA537: Lewis Brandon Scott Exterminator, N815SL, Rockford, IL, September 12, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 12, 2010, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Rockford, IL - Coordinates: 42.297222, -89.138053 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2972&lon=-89.1381&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-DPA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77273 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA537 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77273/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77273 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA537 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the gyrocopter while practicing takeoffs and landings. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Lewis Brandon Scott EXTERMINATOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05615WY), [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: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) (defining event); cases with it: [Lewis Brandon Scott EXTERMINATOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=05615WY), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the gyrocopter was practicing takeoffs and landings when the accident occurred. He stated that he made 12 takeoffs, lifting off to a height 5 to 10 feet above the runway then touching back down prior to the accident flight. The pilot stated that on the last takeoff, the gyrocopter turned sideways and the momentum of the rotor blades resulted in the gyrocopter rolling onto its side. This resulted in substantial damage to the main rotor blades and left horizontal stabilizer when they contacted the ground. The pilot reported there were no mechanical problems with the gyrocopter. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the gyrocopter was practicing takeoffs and landings when the accident occurred. He stated that he made 12 takeoffs, lifting off to a height 5 to 10 feet above the runway then touching back down prior to the accident flight. The pilot stated that on the last takeoff, the gyrocopter turned sideways and the momentum of the rotor blades resulted in the gyrocopter rolling onto its side. This resulted in substantial damage to the main rotor blades and left horizontal stabilizer when they contacted the ground. The pilot reported there were no mechanical problems with the gyrocopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N815SL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N815SL-2013-07-03), registration cancelled 2013-07-03, S/N 001, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LEWIS BRANDON SCOTT EXTERMINATOR - Registry model: [Lewis Brandon Scott EXTERMINATOR](https://openairdocs.org/model/lewis-brandon-scott-exterminator) (registry code 05615WY) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Airframe hours: 342 - Engines: Rotax 912S 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Donald W. Allen - Registered owner: Donald W. Allen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 9, 2010, 0 hours before - Departed: 1C8, Rockford, IL - Destination: 1C8, Rockford, IL - Airport: 1C8, Cottonwood Airport, runway 36, 2,400 × 260 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: minor; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review September 1, 2008; seat: center; flight hours: 380 total, 20 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: RFD, 7 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 20100912052799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100912052799A), Sep 12, 2010: Lewis Brand EXTERMINATO, Auburn, IL, Substantial damage. Pilot waited until everyone at the airport flew out for breakfast. He then had the airport to himself. The weather was calm. He was practicing lifting off and… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 23, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77273. 562 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 562 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336422&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.