# NTSB CEN15LA350: Jal R Dennis Trixy Princess, N743SS, Midland, TX, August 10, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 10, 2015, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Midland, TX - Coordinates: 32.023612, -102.098609 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0236&lon=-102.0986&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report March 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Lubbock FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91760 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA350 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91760/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91760 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA350 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning during which he failed to account for the high-density altitude conditions and high gross weight, which degraded the gyroplane's climb performance and resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Jal R Dennis PRINCESS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=05633EO), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: performance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Jal R Dennis PRINCESS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md?model=05633EO), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Jal R Dennis PRINCESS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05633EO), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Jal R Dennis PRINCESS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=05633EO), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Jal R Dennis PRINCESS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05633EO), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Jal R Dennis PRINCESS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=05633EO), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The sport pilot was operating the gyroplane near its maximum gross weight on a hot day. He taxied the gyroplane to a position north of the runway intersection and then performed a normal takeoff to the south. During the initial climb, the gyroplane began to lose airspeed. The pilot tried to regain airspeed by lowering the nose, but the airspeed continued to decrease. The pilot conducted a forced landing in a park, during which the gyroplane impacted the ground hard and rolled over on its right side. Examination of the gyroplane, the engine, and other systems revealed no evidence of any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The density altitude was calculated to be 5,850 ft, which would have degraded the gyroplane's climb rate by 75 percent. It is likely the pilot failed to adequately prepare for the flight and did not account for the effects of high density-altitude conditions, high gross weight, and reduced engine performance and that these factors degraded the gyroplane's climb performance such that the pilot was unable to maintain a positive climb rate. ## Factual narrative On August 10, 2015, about 1300 central daylight time, a Dennis, Jal R, Trixy Princess, gyroplane, N743SS, impacted terrain 1 mile south of the Midland Airpark (MDD), Midland, Texas. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tail surfaces, and rotor mast. The gyroplane was registered to and operated by a private individual as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The gyroplane was departing MDD at the time of the accident. A witness on the airport watched the gyroplane taxi to the runway intersection and takeoff. He said the temperature was 95-degrees Fahrenheit (F), and the passenger appeared to weigh in excess of 250 lbs. The witness also reported there was a sign posted at the runway intersection that read "No intersection takeoff." The pilot said that the gyroplane was full of fuel and near the maximum gross weight when he began the takeoff at 50 knots and climbed to about 100 feet above ground level. The pilot then noticed that the airspeed had decayed to about 40 knots and he lowered the nose in an attempt to regain forward airspeed, but the gyroplane would not climb and would not accelerate. After making several turns at low altitude to avoid trees and other obstructions the airspeed was then about 30 knots and the pilot reduced engine power to make an off-airport forced landing in a city park. The gyroplane landed on the rear wheels first, bounced, and impacted on the nose gear. The nose gear separated, and the pilot lost directional control. The gyroplane then rolled to the right, the main rotor blades struck the ground, and the gyroplane came to rest on its right side. There was no fuel spill and no postimpact fire. The passenger said they taxied onto the runway, "traveled a little ways," made a U-turn and stopped on the right side of the runway where the pilot engaged the rotor. The pilot told him that the rotor had to reach 200 rpm. The passenger watched the gauge on the top left of the pilot's seat back reach 200 rpm and the gyroplane took off heading south. After crossing a street, the gyroplane made a right turn and began descending toward a park. Just above the ground the passenger heard the pilot say, "Too heavy, too heavy." The passenger added that the gyroplane impacted the ground initially on the rear main landing gear and then "snapped" forward, rolled to the right, and skidded on the right side for about "6 to 8 feet," before coming to a stop. Witnesses at the scene reported the engine was operating when the airplane impacted the ground. An examination of the gyroplane, the gyroplane's engine, and other systems revealed no preimpact anomalies. The gyrocopter was a Trixy Aviation Products GmbH (Austria) "Princess" model, and described as their top model, which is basically designed to operate with a closed cabin. This model, however, can beconverted with an optional kit into a gyrocopter to fly with an open cabin. The aircraft is typically powered by a Rotax 912 engine; however, the accident aircraft engine had been modified by the addition of twin turbochargers to it. At 1255 the Automated Surface Observation System at MDD reported wind 110 degrees at 5 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 97 degrees F, dew point 55 degrees F, and altimeter 30.05 inches of Mercury. The airpark's elevation was 2,803 ft. mean sea level. The density altitude was calculated as 5,850 ft. Per the Koch Chart in Federal Aviation Administration Pamphlet 8740-2, Density Altitude, the gyroplane's climb rate would have been decreased by 75 percent at the calculated density altitude. The pamphlet states that because high density altitude has particular implications for takeoff/climb performance and landing distance, pilots must be sure to determine the reported density altitude and check the appropriate aircraft performance charts carefully during preflight preparation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N743SS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N743SS-2016-12-15), registration cancelled 2016-12-15, S/N JDG2013USANA1, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JAL R DENNIS TRIXY PRINCESS - Registry model: [Jal R Dennis PRINCESS](https://openairdocs.org/model/jal-r-dennis-princess) (registry code 05633EO) (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: JDG2013USANA1 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 105 - Engines: ROTAX 912 TI 130 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 10, 2015, 21 hours before - Departed: MDD, Midland, TX - Destination: MDD, Midland, TX - Airport: MDD, Midland Airpark, runway 16, 3,977 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Data recorder, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: minor; sport pilot; medical: sport pilot; last flight review June 13, 2015; seat: front; flight hours: 80 total, 50 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KMDD, 1 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 20150810015239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150810015239A), Aug 10, 2015: Jal R Dennis PRINCESS, Midland, TX, Substantial damage. On August 10, 2015 at approximately 1305 CDT a gyroplane N743SS performed a hard landing following a departure from Midland Airpark (kmdd). The aircraft… ## Docket (11 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 5, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91760. 7.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459149&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Passenger's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 662 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459150&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Witness Statement, Mike Massey (item 3, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459151&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement,%20Mike%20Massey-Master.PDF - Witness Statement, Austin Sikes (item 4, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459152&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement,%20Austin%20Sikes-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 5, .PDF, 208 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459153&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Midland Airport Operations Report (item 6, .PDF, 77 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459154&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Midland%20Airport%20Operations%20Report-Master.PDF - Midland Airpark VOR Approach with Airfield Diagram (item 7, .PDF, 74 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459155&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Midland%20Airpark%20VOR%20Approach%20with%20Airfield%20Diagram-Master.PDF - Density Altitude Calculator (item 8, .PDF, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459156&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Density%20Altitude%20Calculator-Master.PDF - Extract FAA Pamplet 8740-2 Density Altitude (item 9, .PDF, 242 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459157&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Extract%20FAA%20Pamplet%208740-2%20Density%20Altitude-Master.PDF - Evidence Tracking Nesis III EFIS (item 10, .PDF, 254 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459158&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Evidence%20Tracking%20Nesis%20III%20EFIS-Master.PDF - Photograph of the Gyroplane Wreckage (item 11, .PDF, 578 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459159&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20of%20the%20Gyroplane%20Wreckage-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.