# NTSB CEN11CA454: Van Kalker John E RAF 2000 GTX SE, N25VK, Decker, IN, July 6, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 6, 2011, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Decker, IN - Coordinates: 38.5, -87.595832 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5000&lon=-87.5958&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 6, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Indianapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81012 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA454 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81012/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81012 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA454 ## Probable cause The improper landing flare, which resulted in the gyroplane's main rotor contacting the runway surface. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Van Kalker John E RAF 2000 GTX SE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05607PQ), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Van Kalker John E RAF 2000 GTX SE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05607PQ), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the certified flight instructor, during the training flight he retarded engine power while the airplane was on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, in order to simulate an engine failure. During the flare for the simulated forced landing, the main rotor blade of the gyroplane struck the ground, and it rolled over on its left side. The pilot reported there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the gyroplane. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that during the training flight, he retarded engine power during the downwind leg of the traffic pattern in order to simulate an engine failure. During the flare for the simulated forced landing the main rotor blade of the gyroplane struck the ground directly behind the aircraft which resulted in the gyroplane rolling over on its left side. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the gyroplane prior to the accident. The aircraft received substantial damage which included a bent keel, a bent/broken rotor mast, a damaged main rotor blade, empennage damage, a cracked cabin, and a broken propeller. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N25VK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N25VK), registered now, S/N 251, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VAN KALKER JOHN E RAF 2000 GTX SE - Registry model: [Van Kalker John E RAF 2000 GTX SE](https://openairdocs.org/model/van-kalker-john-e-raf-2000-gtx-se) (registry code 05607PQ) (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: 251 - Airframe hours: 475 - Engines: SUBARU ALL MDLS A/B 400 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 5, 2011 - Departed: 0IN1, Decker, IN - Destination: 0IN1, Decker, IN - Airport: 0IN1, Snider Field Airport, runway 15, 2,000 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 42; injuries: none; flight engineer, airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 20, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 13,400 total, 450 in this make and model, 4,020 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 62; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: 0IN1 ## 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 20110706012089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110706012089A), Jul 6, 2011: Van Kalker John E RAF 2000 GTX SE, Decker, IN, Substantial damage. The flight instructor set the student pilot up on a left downwind leg for runway 15 at Snider's field about 1/8 mile out from the runway and 500 feet above the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 6, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81012. 580 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 580 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351422&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.