# NTSB CEN11LA591: American Autogyro Sparrowhawk, N2631B, Delaware, OH, August 20, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 20, 2011, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Delaware, OH - Coordinates: 40.279724, -83.114723 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2797&lon=-83.1147&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 15, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Columbus FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81581 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA591 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81581/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81581 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA591 ## Probable cause The noncertificated pilot did not maintain adequate airspeed and aircraft control during initial climb. ## 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: [American Autogyro SPARROWHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05901T9), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [American Autogyro SPARROWHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05901T9), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [American Autogyro SPARROWHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=05901T9), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [American Autogyro SPARROWHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05901T9), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [American Autogyro SPARROWHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05901T9), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The noncertificated pilot stated that, during initial climb about 20 to 30 feet above the ground, he noticed that the gyroplane's airspeed was lower than intended and that the gyroplane began to drift to the right. He attempted to increase airspeed by lowering pitch, but the gyroplane landed hard and rolled over onto its side. A witness reported seeing the gyroplane in a steep ascent after liftoff before it entered a descending right turn. A postaccident examination did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the gyroplane. Rotational damage sustained to the propeller blades was consistent with engine operation at the time of impact. The pilot reported that he had been receiving instruction toward a pilot certificate but had not obtained a student pilot certificate. He further noted that, although he had a pilot-rated passenger onboard, he was still acting as pilot-in-command and was flying the gyroplane when the accident occurred. ## Factual narrative On August 20, 2011, at 1045 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built American Autogyro model Sparrowhawk, N2631B, was substantially damaged during takeoff from Delaware Municipal Airport, Delaware, Ohio. The non-certificated pilot/owner and passenger sustained minor injuries. The gyrocopter was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was operated without a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and the intended destination was Newark-Heath Airport, Heath, Ohio.The pilot reported that he had been receiving instruction toward a pilot certificate, but had not obtained a student pilot certificate. He noted that although he had a pilot-rated passenger onboard, he was still acting as pilot-in-command and was flying the gyrocopter when the accident occurred. He stated that during initial climb from runway 28, about 20-30 feet above the ground, he noticed the gyrocopter's airspeed was lower than intended and the gyrocopter began to drift to the right. He attempted to increase airspeed by lowering pitch, but the gyrocopter landed hard and rolled over onto its side. The fuselage, tail, and main rotor were substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The pilot stated that although there were no engine anomalies during pretakeoff operations, it could have been running at a reduced power setting during initial climb. He noted that the engine throttle was found selected to about 80 percent power after the accident; however, he was unable to determine if it had been inadvertently retarded from a full power setting during the flight, or as he egressed from the gyrocopter after the accident. A witness to the accident reported seeing two similar gyrocopters depart in succession. The first gyrocopter was flown by a certified flight instructor and was followed by the accident gyrocopter. The witness reported that the accident gyrocopter's ascent after liftoff was steeper than the preceding gyrocopter. The accident gyrocopter climbed about 30 feet before it entered a descending right turn. The gyrocopter collided with the ground in a nose low attitude and subsequently rolled-over onto its left side. A postaccident examination conducted by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the gyrocopter. The main rotor blades exhibited rotational damage. No mechanical anomalies were noted while the engine crankshaft was rotated. All three composite propeller blades exhibited rotational damage consistent with engine operation at the time of impact. At 1053, the airport's automated surface observing system reported the following weather conditions: wind 180 degrees at 3 knots; visibility 10 miles; clear skies; temperature 25 degrees Celsius; dew point 20 degrees Celsius; altimeter setting30.01 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2631B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2631B-2023-02-04), registration cancelled 2023-02-04, S/N SH20050011K, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: American Autogyro Sparrowhawk - Registry model: [American Autogyro SPARROWHAWK](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-autogyro-sparrowhawk) (registry code 05901T9) (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: SH20050011K - Airframe hours: 57 - Engines: Subaru EJ25 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 1, 2010 - Departed: KDLZ, Delaware, OH - Destination: KVTA, Heath, OH - Airport: KDLZ, Delaware Municipal Airport, runway 28, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; seat: left; flight hours: 12 total, 12 in this make and model, 0 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review August 4, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 578 total, 28 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KDLZ ## 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 20110820019839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110820019839A), Aug 20, 2011: American Autogyro SPARROWHAWK, Delaware, OH, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Was departing runway 28 from dlz in route to vta when the accident occurred. [privacy data omitted] Stated he ran the pre rotate of the… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 9, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81581. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40364755&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (Michael Watkins) (item 2, .PDF, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40364749&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement%20(Michael%20Watkins)-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (Timothy Powell) (item 3, .PDF, 171 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40364750&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement%20(Timothy%20Powell)-Master.PDF - Weather Reports (item 4, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40364751&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-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.