# NTSB CEN13CA017: Hunthrop Autogyro MTO Sport, N589DH, Bourland, TX, October 20, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 20, 2012, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Bourland, TX - Coordinates: 32.581943, -97.590835 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5819&lon=-97.5908&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 10, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 85384 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85384/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85384 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA017 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to fly the gyroplane in gusty wind conditions that exceeded his limitations and his resultant loss of control during takeoff. ## 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: [William D Hunthrop AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056316W), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041500): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [William D Hunthrop AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041500/cases.md?model=056316W), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041500/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [William D Hunthrop AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=056316W), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [William D Hunthrop AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=056316W), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [William D Hunthrop AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056316W), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [William D Hunthrop AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=056316W), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot, who had 10 hours of dual instruction and 1.5 hours of solo flight in the gyroplane make and model, was performing touch-and-go landings in the gyroplane in pursuit of a gyroplane endorsement when the gyroplane impacted terrain during a takeoff, and the fuselage was substantially damaged. The pilot could not recall the accident sequence. The wind at the time of the accident was from 190 degrees at 19 knots gusting to 27 knots. Documentation showed that the pilot had been signed off by his flight instructor to operate the gyroplane solo in wind up to 9 knots. A visual examination of the gyroplane did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the information available, it is likely the pilot did not maintain directional control while taking off in the gyroplane in strong, gusty wind conditions. ## Factual narrative While performing touch-and-go training, the gyrocraft impacted terrain during a takeoff from the runway. The gyroplane's fuselage was substantially damaged. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the solo private pilot sustained a broken arm and a concussion; the pilot could not recall the accident sequence. In addition, the pilot was training to obtain a gyrocraft endorsement and had been signed off by his flight instructor to operate solo in winds up to 9 knots. Winds at the time of the accident were 20 degrees from runway heading at 19 knots gusting to 27 knots. At the time of the accident, the pilot had accumulated about 271 hours total time with 10 hours dual and 1.5 hours solo in make and model. A visual examination of the gyrocraft did not reveal any preimpact anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N589DH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N589DH-2018-02-16), registration cancelled 2018-02-16, S/N M00938, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUNTHROP AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT - Registry model: [William D Hunthrop AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT](https://openairdocs.org/model/william-d-hunthrop-autogyro-mto-sport) (registry code 056316W) (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: M0098 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hunthrop William D - Registered owner: Hunthrop William D - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: K50F, Bourland, TX - Destination: K50F, Bourland, TX - Airport: K50F, Bourland Field, runway 17, 4,049 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: serious; private, sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; flight hours: 271 total, 11 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 19 knots, gusting 27 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KFWS, 14 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 20121020028999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121020028999A), Oct 20, 2012: William D Hunthrop AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT, Cresson, TX, Destroyed. Pilot was doing pattern work in recently built gyroplane. Winds exceeded crosswind limitation specified by flight instructor in pilot's logbook. Winds were 30… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 25, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85384. 25 KB in all. - Correspondence with FAA inspector (item 1, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40387816&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Correspondence%20with%20FAA%20inspector-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.