# NTSB CEN12LA013: Wilhelm Calidus, N455BW, Thompsonville, MI, October 7, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 7, 2011, 13:20 local (17:20 UTC) - Place: Thompsonville, MI - Coordinates: 44.516666, -85.97528 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5167&lon=-85.9753&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 20, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA -- Grand Rapids Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 82038 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA013 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82038/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82038 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA013 ## Probable cause The pilot 's inability to maintain control of the gyrocraft during the landing roll for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Jerald H Wilhelm CALIDUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056309Y), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Jerald H Wilhelm CALIDUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056309Y), [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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Jerald H Wilhelm CALIDUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056309Y), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Jerald H Wilhelm CALIDUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056309Y), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Jerald H Wilhelm CALIDUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=056309Y), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the takeoff seemed normal but that on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern the gyrocraft tended to roll to the right and he had difficulty keeping it level. He completed the traffic pattern and successfully touched down on the runway. However, after landing, he was unable to maintain control. The gyrocraft departed the runway pavement and rolled onto its right side. A postaccident examination confirmed flight control continuity throughout the system. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation. Documentation indicated that the gyrocraft was loaded within approved weight and balance limitations at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that this was his first flight in the gyrocraft and it was intended to be the first full flight of the required flight test operations phase. He noted that a mechanic had conducted 3 momentary flights over the runway after the gyrocraft had been completed. ## Factual narrative On October 7, 2011, about 1320 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Wilhelm Calidus gyrocraft, N455BW, was substantially damaged during a loss of control on landing at the Thompsonville Airport (7Y2), Thompsonville, Michigan. The private pilot was not injured. The gyrocraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight departed about 1315. The pilot reported that this was his first flight in the gyrocraft and it was intended to be the first full flight of the required flight test operations phase. He noted that a mechanic had conducted 3 momentary flights over the runway after the gyrocraft had been completed. The gyrocraft was then transported to Michigan. The pilot stated that the takeoff seemed normal, but on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern the gyrocraft tended to roll to the right and he had difficulty keeping it level. He completed the traffic pattern and successfully touched down on the runway. However, after landing, he was unable to maintain control. The gyrocraft departed the runway pavement and rolled onto its right side. The gyrocraft sustained substantial damage to the rotor mast and fuselage. A postaccident inspection confirmed flight control continuity throughout the system. The linkage to the rotor appeared intact. The examination did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a loss of control. The pilot reported that he departed from and landed on runway 27 (2,900 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) at 7Y2. He noted that there was a south wind at approximately 5 knots at the time of the accident. Weight and balance documentation specified a maximum takeoff weight of 1,100 lbs. and a useful load (payload capacity) of 454 lbs. The documentation noted a minimum front seat occupant weight of 143 lbs. without corresponding ballast. The pilot reported a gross weight of 826 lbs. at the time of the accident. He noted that he occupied the front seat during the flight. Records indicated that the pilot's weight complied with the minimum front seat occupant weight requirement. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N455BW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N455BW), registered now, S/N C00162, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Wilhelm Calidus - Registry model: [Jerald H Wilhelm CALIDUS](https://openairdocs.org/model/jerald-h-wilhelm-calidus) (registry code 056309Y) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: C00162 - Airframe hours: 0 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 5, 2011, 0 hours before - Departed: 7Y2, Thompsonville, MI - Destination: 7Y2, Thompsonville, MI - Airport: 7Y2, Thompsonville, runway 27, 2,900 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 11, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 722 total, 0 in this make and model, 653 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: TVC, 21 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 20111007023459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111007023459A), Oct 7, 2011: Jerald H Wilhelm CALIDUS, Thompsonville, MI, Substantial damage. This flight was the first flight for this aircraft. Pilot[privacy data omitted] attemped departure twice before actual takeoff. In each of the prior attempts,… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 8, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82038. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 320 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361475&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Conversation Record -- Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361510&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Conversation%20Record%20--%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Conversation Record -- FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361518&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Conversation%20Record%20--%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Aircraft Logbook (item 4, .PDF, 735 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361516&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Logbook-Redacted.PDF - Weight & Balance Data (item 5, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361504&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weight%20%26%20Balance%20Data-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Logbook -- Excerpts (item 6, .PDF, 354 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361505&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Logbook%20--%20Excerpts-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.