# NTSB CEN15LA004: Celier Xenon R, N719MB, Loma, CO, October 5, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 4, 2014, 18:17 local (Oct 5, 2014, 00:17 UTC) - Place: Loma, CO - Coordinates: 39.195835, -108.813056 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1958&lon=-108.8131&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report April 4, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Salt Lake FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90213 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA004 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90213/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90213 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA004 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a static wire and his decision to maneuver the gyroplane at low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Celier XENON R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=05904KF), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Celier XENON R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05904KF), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Celier XENON R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=05904KF), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Celier XENON R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05904KF), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Celier XENON R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=05904KF), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Celier XENON R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05904KF), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot was conducting a personal flight in the gyroplane with one passenger on board. The gyroplane impacted a static wire that was strung between two poles on opposite sides of a river and was estimated to be about 50 ft above the water's surface. Damage to the gyroplane, including the separation of the main rotor assembly and impact signatures on the mast mount, was consistent with a wire strike. Postaccident examination did not reveal any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions. Based on the available information, it is likely that the pilot chose to make a low-altitude flight along the river and failed to see and avoid the static wire. ## Factual narrative The aircraft was a 2007 Celier Xenon R gyroplane, serial number CAK04071R. It was a single rotor gyroplane with two seats and was powered by a single Rotax 912S engine rated to produce 100 horsepower. According to manufacturer's information, the gyroplane was a two-seat gyrocopter with a fixed tricycle landing gear arrangement. The main structural component was the composite fuselage. Two metal tail booms exited the rear of the fuselage and had vertical stabilizers and rudders mounted to each boom. A horizontal stabilizer and elevator was mounted between the vertical stabilizers. The control surfaces were also of composite construction. A metal mast was affixed to the fuselage structure, on which the control head with the lifting rotor was mounted. The two-blade rotor had a metal structure with blades made from drawn aluminum. According to FAA records, the gyroplane was issued an experimental category airworthiness certificate on January 18, 2008, for the purpose of operating a light-sport aircraft as an existing aircraft that did not meet the definition of an ultralight aircraft. Registration information indicated that the gyroplane was purchased by Western Centurion LLC, on December 28, 2009. On October 4, 2014, about 1817 mountain daylight time, a Celier Aviation model Xenon R gyroplane, N719MB, was destroyed when it impacted power transmission wires near Loma, Colorado. The commercial pilot and passenger received fatal injuries. The aircraft was registered to Western Centurion LLC, and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not on a flight plan. The local flight originated from the Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT), Grand Junction, Colorado, about 1800. An autopsy of the pilot was performed by the Mesa County Coroner's Office, Mesa, Colorado, on October 5, 2014. The pilot's death was attributed to injuries received in the accident. Toxicology testing was performed by the FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute. Testing results found the following substances: Famotidine detected in Urine Famotidine NOT detected in Blood (Aortic) Ibuprofen detected in Urine Oxymetazoline detected in Urine Oxymetazoline NOT detected in Blood (Aortic) Oxymetazoline was a decongestant used in the treatment of nasal congestion. Famotidine inhibits stomach acid production, and is commonly used in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Ibuprofen was a nonnarcotic analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent that is available in prescription, as well as nonprescription, forms. Weather conditions recorded by the GJT Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS), located about 15 miles east of the accident site, at 1753, were: wind from 280 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 10 mile, clear skies, temperature 19 degrees Celsius, dew point 3 degrees Celsius, and altimeter 30.13 inches of mercury. According toastronomical data, sunset would have occurred about 1853 on the day of the accident. The pilot, age 61, held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land, airplane single-engine sea, instrument airplane, helicopter, and gyroplane ratings. The pilot was issued a second-class airman medical certificate, with a restriction for corrective lenses, on January 6, 2014. The gyroplane impacted a static wire that crossed the Colorado River, near Loma, Colorado. The wire was strung between poles on opposite sides of the river and was estimated to be about 50 feet above the river's surface. The gyroplane came to rest in the river on its right side. The gyroplane's rotor and mast system had been torn from the fuselage. The forward cabin section of the gyroplane was separated. The mast mount had impact signatures that were consistent with a wire strike. Postaccident examinations did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N719MB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N719MB-2018-03-19), registration cancelled 2018-03-19, S/N CAK04071R (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CELIER AVIATION XENON R (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Celier XENON R](https://openairdocs.org/model/celier-xenon-r) (registry code 05904KF) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane - Serial number: CAK04071R - Engines: ROTAX 912S 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: GJT, GRAND JUNCTION, CO - Destination: GJT, GRAND JUNCTION, CO - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,250 total, 250 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: GJT, 15 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 20141004018009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141004018009A), Oct 4, 2014: Celier Aviation XENON R, Fruita, CO, Destroyed, 2 fatal. On October 4, 2014, Mr. Shook was giving friends and family members rides in his gyrocopter. He stated to one that he needed to stay a bit higher above the… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 18, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90213. 947 KB in all. - Record of Conversation with FAA Inspector (item 1, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436801&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - FAA - CAMI Drug Information (item 2, .PDF, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436802&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20-%20CAMI%20Drug%20Information-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 3, .PDF, 154 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436800&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 5 photos, 610 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436799&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.