# NTSB CEN14CA039: Wohaska John Parsons Stiles Gyro, N7064U, Festus, MO, October 20, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 20, 2013, 13:10 local (18:10 UTC) - Place: Festus, MO - Coordinates: 38.191387, -90.385833 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1914&lon=-90.3858&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 3, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 88385 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88385/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88385 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA039 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper propeller adjustment, which resulted in decreased performance and a loss of aircraft control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Wohaska John PARSONS STILES GYRO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=056196H), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) - [Propeller system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046100): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Incorrect service/maintenance; cases with it: [Wohaska John PARSONS STILES GYRO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046100/cases.md?model=056196H), [All aircraft, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046100/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500); cases with it: [Wohaska John PARSONS STILES GYRO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=056196H), [All aircraft, 251 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Wohaska John PARSONS STILES GYRO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=056196H), [All aircraft, 1,530 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis The sport pilot reported that days prior to the accident flight, he adjusted the propeller and re-installed it without testing its performance. On the accident flight, he departed the runway and remained in ground effect until he reached 50 mph, then began a climb. As he flew the gyroplane to the south, the surrounding terrain elevation decreased and the pilot thought he was climbing. The engine was operating about 6,300 rpm and the airspeed was 40 mph; the engine develops maximum horsepower at 6,750 rpm and the best climb speed is 45 mph. The pilot initiated a left turn to land in a field or back at the airport, but the wind pushed the gyroplane and the pilot lost control. The gyroplane impacted the ground and sustained substantial damage to the tube frame, vertical tail, and rotor blades. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. He reported that the propeller was not adjusted properly in order to provide maximum engine rpm and subsequently maximum climb performance. Due to the slow airspeed, it is likely that the gyroplane experienced an aerodynamic stall. ## Factual narrative The sport pilot reported that days prior to the accident flight, he adjusted the propeller and re-installed it without testing its performance. On the accident flight, he departed the runway and remained in ground effect until he reached 50 mph, then began a climb. As he flew the gyroplane to the south, the surrounding terrain elevation decreased and the pilot thought he was climbing. The engine was operating about 6,300 rpm and the airspeed was 40 mph; the engine develops maximum horsepower at 6,750 rpm and the best climb speed is 45 mph. The pilot initiated a left turn to land in a field or back at the airport, but the wind pushed the gyroplane and the pilot lost control. The gyroplane impacted the ground and sustained substantial damage to the tube frame, vertical tail, and rotor blades. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7064U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7064U), registered now, S/N JW1070, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WOHASKA JOHN PARSONS STILES GYRO (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Wohaska John PARSONS STILES GYRO](https://openairdocs.org/model/wohaska-john-parsons-stiles-gyro) (registry code 056196H) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JW1070 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 45 - Engines: ROTAX 618UL 73 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Wohaska John S - Registered owner: Wohaska John S - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 1, 2013 - Departed: FES, Festus, MO - Destination: H49, COLUMBIA, IL - Airport: FES, Festus Memorial, runway 18, 2,202 × 49 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; sport pilot; last flight review June 8, 2013; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 132 total, 42 in this make and model, 109 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KFAM, 26 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 20131020021599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131020021599A), Oct 20, 2013: Wohaska John PARSONS STILES GYRO, Festus, MO, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that aircraft would not climb after takeoff. Pilot tried to turn back to airport to land. He said when he turned, he ran into a head wind, stalled… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 18, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88385. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403540&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.