# NTSB CEN14CA382: Gremminger Greg Magni M 16, N216MG, Cape Girardeau, MO, July 17, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 17, 2014, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Cape Girardeau, MO - Coordinates: 37.305831, -89.518058 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3058&lon=-89.5181&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-St Louis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89710 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA382 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89710/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89710 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA382 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude while maneuvering which led to a collision with power lines. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Gremminger Greg MAGNI M-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05612I8), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Gremminger Greg MAGNI M-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000/cases.md?model=05612I8), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Gremminger Greg MAGNI M-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=05612I8), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was performing a local flight in a gyroplane. He stated that he flew the gyroplane for an unknown period of time and then regained consciousness in a field after the accident. He reported that there was a transection of a nearby power line and that the gyroplane suffered damage to the propeller, main rotor, landing gear, and fuselage. He reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the gyroplane. A witness reported seeing the gyroplane flying about 20 to 30 feet above ground level. He stated the pilot was waving at him. He noticed that the gyroplane was heading for a set of power lines nearby and he began waving to the pilot as a warning. The witness reported that the gyroplane struck the top wire of the power transmission wires, and then lost control and impacted the ground. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was performing a local flight in a gyroplane. He stated that he flew the gyroplane for an unknown period of time and then regained consciousness in a field after the accident. He reported that there was a transection of a nearby power line and that the gyroplane suffered damage to the propeller, main rotor, landing gear, and fuselage. He reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the gyroplane. A witness reported seeing the gyroplane flying about 20 to 30 feet above ground level. He stated the pilot was waving at him. He noticed that the gyroplane was heading for a set of power lines nearby and he began waving to the pilot as a warning. The witness reported that the gyroplane struck the top wire of the power transmission wires, and then lost control and impacted the ground. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N216MG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N216MG-2018-03-21), registration cancelled 2018-03-21, S/N 16-01-1774, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GREMMINGER GREG MAGNI M 16 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Gremminger Greg MAGNI M-16](https://openairdocs.org/model/gremminger-greg-magni-m-16) (registry code 05612I8) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 16-01-1774 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 3026 - Engines: Rotax 914UL 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Magniflight LLC - Registered owner: Magniflight LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 12, 2013 - Departed: CGI, CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO - Destination: CGI, CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 16, 2013; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 550 total, 10 in this make and model, 488 as pilot in command, 112 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: CGI ## 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 20140717012799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140717012799A), Jul 17, 2014: Gremminger Greg MAGNI M-16, Cape Girardeau, MO, Substantial damage. On July 17, 2014 at approximately 16:00 hours local time, pilot in command [privacy data omitted], flying gyroplane N216MG at approximately 30-50 feet above… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 4, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89710. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 981 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40422188&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 157 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40422189&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. --- 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.