# NTSB CEN15CA261: Brewer Sportcopter Votex M, N229MG, Sikeston, MO, June 5, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 5, 2015, 18:20 local (23:20 UTC) - Place: Sikeston, MO - Coordinates: 36.898887, -89.561668 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8989&lon=-89.5617&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91323 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15CA261 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91323/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91323 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA261 ## Probable cause The pilot inadvertently reducing engine power to the idle position while maneuvering at a low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [John A Brewer SPORTCOPTER VORTEX M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=0563337), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [John A Brewer SPORTCOPTER VORTEX M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=0563337), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [John A Brewer SPORTCOPTER VORTEX M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0563337), [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. - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [John A Brewer SPORTCOPTER VORTEX M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=0563337), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [John A Brewer SPORTCOPTER VORTEX M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=0563337), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231); cases with it: [John A Brewer SPORTCOPTER VORTEX M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=0563337), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md) ## Analysis While maneuvering the gyroplane at a low altitude, the pilot inadvertently moved the engine throttle to idle. The pilot initially thought his engine had lost power and proceeded to set up for a forced landing. During the attempted forced landing, the pilot instinctively applied engine power to soften the landing, and the engine responded appropriately. The right main landing gear contacted the terrain, and the gyroplane rolled over. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and vertical stabilizer. The pilot stated there were no mechanical issues or anomalies noted with the gyroplane. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative While maneuvering the gyroplane at a low altitude, the pilot inadvertently moved the engine throttle to idle. The pilot initially thought his engine had lost power and proceeded to set up for a forced landing. During the attempted forced landing, the pilot instinctively applied engine power to soften the landing, and the engine responded appropriately. The right main landing gear contacted the terrain, and the gyroplane rolled over. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and vertical stabilizer. The pilot stated there were no mechanical issues or anomalies noted with the gyroplane. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N229MG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N229MG), registered now, S/N 175, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BREWER SPORTCOPTER VOTEX M - Registry model: [John A Brewer SPORTCOPTER VORTEX M](https://openairdocs.org/model/john-a-brewer-sportcopter-vortex-m) (registry code 0563337) (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: 175 - Year built: 2015 - Airframe hours: 20.5 - Engines: Rotax 912 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John A Brewer - Registered owner: John A Brewer - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: Sikeston, MO - Destination: Sikeston, MO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: minor; private, sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 30, 2014; seat: center; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,675 total, 275 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: CGI, 20 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 20150605008359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150605008359A), Jun 5, 2015: Sportcopter VORTEX M, Sikeston, MO, Substantial damage. The pilot was flying in the local area to gain experience in a newly built experimental gyroplane. When flying at approximately 500 feet above the ground, he… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 11, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91323. 891 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 785 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431689&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation – Pilot/Owner (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431690&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20%E2%80%93%20Pilot%2FOwner-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation – Company Representative (item 3, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431691&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20%E2%80%93%20Company%20Representative-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.