# NTSB CEN11CA336: Reed Roderick KB3 Gyroplane, Scott, LA, May 14, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 14, 2011, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Scott, LA
- Coordinates: 30.276945, -92.152778 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2769&lon=-92.1528&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 79100
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA336
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79100/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79100
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA336

## Probable cause

The pilot's poor decision to takeoff with a tailwind which resulted in a runway excursion.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot he was taking off from a private grass strip with a tailwind. Approximately half way down the runway the gyroplane became airborne. He looked down to check his engine instruments, and when he looked back up he was approaching the end of the runway and a fence line. He was unable to maneuver over the fence and the gyroplane impacted the top of the fence line. The gyroplane's fuselage was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. He said he was aware of the tailwind conditions.

## Factual narrative

According to a statement obtained from the pilot by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot was attempting to depart a private grass strip with a tailwind. Approximately half way down the runway the gyroplane became airborne. The pilot looked down to check his engine instruments, and when he looked back up he was quickly approaching the end of the runway and a fence line. The pilot was unable to maneuver over the fence and the gyroplane impacted the top of the fence line. The gyroplane's fueslage was substantially damaged. He did not report any preimpact anomalies, and attributed inattention for his descent and collision with the fence. The pilot added that he was aware of the tailwind conditions.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: REED RODERICK KB3 GYROPLANE
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: REED307D
- Engines: Rotax 912UL reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Airworthiness certificate: Unknown
- Departed: Scott, LA
- Destination: Scott, LA
- Airport: N/A, Private strip, runway 18, 900 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: single; flight hours: 2,100 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observed at: KLFT, 9 nm away

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 1, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79100. 52 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 not obtained (item 1, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349844&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20not%20obtained-Master.PDF
- Reports from Federal Agencies: FAA inspector's interview with pilot (item 2, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349845&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies%3A%20FAA%20inspector%27s%20interview%20with%20pilot-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.

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