# NTSB CEN13CA564: Treidel Mark/R F D Dominator, N728PJ, Watkins, CO, September 26, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 26, 2013, 11:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Watkins, CO
- Coordinates: 39.793888, -104.5475
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7939&lon=-104.5475&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 December 19, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 88148
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA564
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88148/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88148
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA564

## Probable cause

The pilot's loss of control of the gyroplane during takeoff roll, following his inadvertent release of the cyclic control.

## 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: [Treidel Mark/R F D DOMINATOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05902TP), [All aircraft, 9,308 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.

- [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Treidel Mark/R F D DOMINATOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05902TP), [All aircraft, 5,010 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [Treidel Mark/R F D DOMINATOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=05902TP), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During the takeoff roll, the pilot stated that the cyclic control slipped out of his hand, followed by an abrupt pitch up of the gyroplane. After becoming airborne for a brief time, the gyroplane descended tail first onto the runway and then cartwheeled several times, coming to rest on its right side. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

During the takeoff roll, the pilot stated that the cyclic control slipped out of his hand, followed by an abrupt pitch up of the gyroplane. After becoming airborne for a brief time, the gyroplane descended tail first onto the runway and then cartwheeled several times, coming to rest on its right side. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N728PJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N728PJ-2013-12-24), registration cancelled 2013-12-24, S/N MT-001, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TREIDEL MARK/R F D DOMINATOR (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Treidel Mark/R F D DOMINATOR](https://openairdocs.org/model/treidel-mark-r-f-d-dominator) (registry code 05902TP) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 912S series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912s-series) (registry code 55570, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane
- Serial number: MT-001
- Year built: 2007
- Airframe hours: 225
- Engines: Rotax 912 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Egan James C
- Registered owner: Egan James C
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 16, 2013
- Departed: FTG, Watkins, CO
- Destination: FTG, Watkins, CO
- Airport: FTG, Front Range, runway 26, 8,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; last flight review April 25, 2013; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,953 total, 26 in this make and model, 4,550 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observed at: FTG, 1 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 20130926021129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130926021129A), Sep 26, 2013: Treidel Mark/R F D DOMINATOR, Watkins, CO, Substantial damage. On September 26th, 2013 at approximately 1130 hrs MDT, N728PJ, a light sport Dominator experienced a hard landing at Front Range Airport (kftg) sustaining…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 13, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88148. 3.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406128&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Witness statement (item 2, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406127&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20statement-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.

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