# NTSB CEN12CA029: Hunt Sparrowhawk, N29HT, Blair, NE, October 15, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 15, 2011, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Blair, NE - Coordinates: 41.408889, -96.105278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4089&lon=-96.1053&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 27, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 82110 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA029 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82110/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82110 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA029 ## Probable cause The pilot/builder’s inadequate installation of a nosewheel steering component, which resulted in a shimmy and a loss of directional control during the takeoff roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hunt Daniel Emory SPARROWHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=05630IK), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Hunt Daniel Emory SPARROWHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=05630IK), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Hunt Daniel Emory SPARROWHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05630IK), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Hunt Daniel Emory SPARROWHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05630IK), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Hunt Daniel Emory SPARROWHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=05630IK), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the takeoff roll, the nosewheel experienced a shimmy, and the pilot was unable to maintain directional control. The gyrocopter rolled onto its left side, exited the side of the runway, and came to rest in the grass. During the rollover, the main rotor mast sustained substantial damage. A postaccident examination of the gyrocopter revealed a loose bolt in the nose gear steering linkage, which allowed the nosewheel to shimmy. The pilot, who was also the builder, was testing the newly built gyrocopter. ## Factual narrative The pilot/builder was planning a short flight above the runway for the purpose of testing the newly built gyrocopter. During the takeoff roll, the nose wheel experienced a shimmy and the pilot was unable to maintain directional control. The gyrocopter rolled onto its left side and exited the side of the runway before coming to rest in the grass. During the rollover, the main rotor mast was substantially damaged. A postaccident examination of the gyrocopter revealed a loose bolt in the nose gear steering linkage which allowed the nose wheel to shimmy. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N29HT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29HT-2018-03-13), registration cancelled 2018-03-13, S/N HA1 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUNT SPARROWHAWK - Registry model: [Hunt Daniel Emory SPARROWHAWK](https://openairdocs.org/model/hunt-daniel-emory-sparrowhawk) (registry code 05630IK) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: HA1 - Airframe hours: 0 - Engines: Suburu EJ25 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Unknown, September 27, 2011 - Departed: BTA, Blair, NE - Destination: BTA, Blair, NE - Airport: BTA, Blair Municipal, runway 13, 4,200 × 100 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 8, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 1,790 total, 10 in this make and model, 1,728 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg ## 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 20111015025509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111015025509A), Oct 15, 2011: Hunt Daniel Emory SPARROWHAWK, Blair, NE, Substantial damage. Pilot stated after starting the ground roll, the aircraft nose wheel began to shimmy. The shimmy got worse, which resulted in loss of control of the aircraft.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 18, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82110. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 959 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358076&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358137&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-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.