# NTSB CEN15LA344: Erickson Larry D RAF 2000 GT, N315LK, Humboldt, IA, August 9, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 9, 2015, 18:55 local (23:55 UTC) - Place: Humboldt, IA - Coordinates: 42.754722, -94.198608 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7547&lon=-94.1986&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 16, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 91745 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA344 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91745/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91745 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA344 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of gyroplane control while maneuvering 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: [Erickson Larry D RAF 2000 GT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=056313L), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Erickson Larry D RAF 2000 GT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056313L), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Erickson Larry D RAF 2000 GT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=056313L), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Erickson Larry D RAF 2000 GT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=056313L), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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 control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Erickson Larry D RAF 2000 GT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056313L), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Erickson Larry D RAF 2000 GT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056313L), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The sport pilot and passenger were on a local flight in the gyroplane. The passenger reported that, after about 30 minutes of flight, the pilot made a low-altitude pass over the passenger's home. The gyroplane started to descend below the tallest trees on the property at a low-power setting, and as it approached the ground, the pilot rapidly increased engine power, likely to stop the descent. The gyroplane subsequently banked right and impacted a tree in the passenger's front yard. Postaccident examination of the gyroplane revealed no evidence of any preimpact failures, and no evidence was found indicating that the rotor blades struck the rudder or propeller blades. ## Factual narrative On August 9, 2015, about 1855 central daylight time, an amateur-built RAF 2000 GT rotorcraft gyroplane, N315LK, was substantially damaged after impacting a tree near Humboldt, Iowa. The pilot was fatally injured and the passenger was seriously injured. The gyroplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, with no flight plan filed. The local flight departed from Humboldt Municipal Airport (0K7), Humboldt, Iowa about 1825. The passenger, who had flown with the pilot several times, stated the purpose of the flight was to take some pictures of his house and to "just fly around". After flying for about 30 minutes, the pilot made a low pass over the passenger's house on a southwesterly heading. The passenger heard the pilot state an exclamation, followed by a descent of the gyroplane. The passenger said the pilot "struggled" with the controls as the gyroplane descended below the tallest trees on his property. As the gyroplane approached the ground, the pilot increased engine power. The gyroplane made a right turn and impacted a lone pine tree which they had just flown by. The passenger's neighbor observed the gyroplane as it approached the accident site on a southwesterly heading. He heard a reduction in engine noise, followed by the gyroplane's descent below the taller trees on the passenger's property. He subsequently heard a rapid increase in engine noise, followed by a loud impact noise. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 58, held a sport pilot certificate with a rotorcraft gyroplane rating and a repairman experimental aircraft builder certificate. A review of the pilot's logbook revealed that he had accumulated 150.5 hours of flight time in gyroplanes, with over 14 hours flown in the accident gyroplane during the previous 90 days. The pilot never had a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Medical Certification examination. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The 2012 amateur-built RAF 2000 GT gyroplane was equipped with a single pusher engine, teetering blade rotor system, and was configured for two occupants. The gyroplane was powered by a four cylinder Subaru EJ 2.2 engine, which was driving a three-bladed Warpdrive composite propeller. The gyroplane was last inspected on July 9, 2015 by the pilot, who conducted a 25-hour inspection. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION At 1915, the weather observation station at Fort Dodge Regional Airport (FOD), Fort Dodge, Iowa, located about 12 miles south of the accident site, reported the following conditions: wind 120 degrees at 3 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 25 degrees C, dew point 20 degrees C, altimeter setting 29.92 inches of mercury. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION FAA personnel responded to the accident site and located the wreckage next to a lone pine tree in the passenger's front yard, at an elevation of 1,134 feet msl. The gyroplanecame to rest laying on its side, with its nose pointed to the northeast. Fuel was leaking from several locations. There was no evidence of a post crash fire. The leading edge of the rotor blade did not have any noticeable impact marks. The 3-bladed composite propeller was broken off at the root of each blade, with segments located as far as 200 feet from the main wreckage. FAA personnel performed a subsequent examination of the gyroplane at the recovery location. Flight control continuity was established to all flight controls, with the exception of two cyclic control components, which had fractures consistent with impact damage. Engine crankshaft continuity was established via rotation of the propeller hub. Examination of the gyroplane revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. TESTS AND RESEARCH Fragments of the three composite propeller blades were shipped to the NTSB Materials Laboratory for examination. All three blades exhibited one or more fractured fragments near the root end, followed by long spanwise pieces. The outboard end of each long piece exhibited damage to the leading edge of the blade consistent with impact damage. The corresponding blade tips for all three blades were identified. Examination of the blades did not reveal any apparent anomalies or deficiencies with their composite structure. A video recorder was recovered from the accident site and evaluated by the NTSB Recorder Laboratory. No information relevant to the investigation was located on the recorder. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION On August 11, 2015, an autopsy was performed on the pilot by the Iowa Department of Public Health Examiner. The cause of death was due to blunt force injuries. The FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma performed toxicology tests on the pilot. Atenolol, yohimbine, and etomidate were identified in blood. Atenolol is used to treat high blood pressure. Yohimbine is used for the treatment of male sexual dysfunction. Etomidate is an anesthesia induction agent used in emergency treatment. A review of Humboldt County Memorial Hospital records revealed that etomidate was utilized during lifesaving efforts. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N315LK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N315LK-2019-01-14), registration cancelled 2019-01-14, S/N 6456, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ERICKSON LARRY D RAF 2000 GT - Registry model: [Erickson Larry D RAF 2000 GT](https://openairdocs.org/model/erickson-larry-d-raf-2000-gt) (registry code 056313L) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Subaru ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 59050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 6456 - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 197 - Engines: Subaru EJ 2.2 130 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Erickson Larry D - Registered owner: Erickson Larry D - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 9, 2015, 2 hours before - Departed: 0K7, HUMBOLDT, IA - Destination: 0K7, HUMBOLDT, IA - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: fatal; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review April 9, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 150 total, 150 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: KFOD, 12 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 20150809015539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150809015539A), Aug 9, 2015: Erickson Larry D RAF 2000 GT, Dakota City, IA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. The airman departed the airport on a pleasure flight with a passenger. The route of flight in the local area was familiar to the pilot and the passenger had… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 9, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91745. 5.4 MB in all. - Witness Statements (item 1, .PDF, 588 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437571&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Master.PDF - Photos of Accident Site and Gyroplane (item 2, .PDF, 602 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437572&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20of%20Accident%20Site%20and%20Gyroplane-Master.PDF - Federal Aviation Administration Examinations (item 3, .PDF, 594 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437573&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20Examinations-Master.PDF - NTSB Materials Lab - Prop Fragments Report (item 4, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437574&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Materials%20Lab%20-%20Prop%20Fragments%20Report-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 5, .PDF, 171 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437575&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF - Onboard Image Recorder - Specialist's Factual Report (item 6, .PDF, 227 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437576&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Onboard%20Image%20Recorder%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-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.