# NTSB CEN16LA015: Bobby Martin Autogyro MTO Sport, N3232Z, Wallisville, TX, October 17, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 17, 2015, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Wallisville, TX - Coordinates: 29.801111, -94.709724 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8011&lon=-94.7097&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 25, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Houston FSDO, (BFU) Bundesstelle für Flugunfalluntersuchung - NTSB case key (mKey): 92196 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN16LA015 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92196/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92196 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA015 ## Probable cause Fracture of the pusher propeller blade due to impact damage from an unknown object while in flight, which resulted in a severe vibration and a loss of thrust. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Propeller system: propeller blade section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046111): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Bobby Martin AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046111/cases.md?model=056320J), [All aircraft, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046111/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Bobby Martin AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=056320J), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) - [Terrain: wet/muddy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Bobby Martin AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md?model=056320J), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/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: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Bobby Martin AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=056320J), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Bobby Martin AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=056320J), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Bobby Martin AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=056320J), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Bobby Martin AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=056320J), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot departed in a gyroplane on a local sightseeing flight. About 30 minutes into the flight, at an altitude of about 250-300 ft above the ground, the pilot reported hearing and feeling something break loose behind him, located near the engine, followed by a severe vibration. The pilot reduced power, which reduced the vibration but resulted in the gyroplane descending. He added power again, but the gyroplane vibrated severely and did not regain performance. The pilot performed a forced landing into a swamp, where the gyroplane's right main landing gear sank and the gyroplane rolled over onto its right side. Postaccident examination of the pusher propeller showed that one of the three carbon fiber blades had split and come apart. Further examination of the propeller blade showed characteristics consistent with damage from impact with an object; however, no object that could have caused the impact damage was located. The examination did not reveal evidence of any other preimpact malfunctions or failures of the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On October 17, 2015, about 1200 central daylight time, a Bobby Martin, AutoGyro MTO Sport gyroplane, N3232Z, impacted terrain in a remote swampy area near Wallisville, Texas. The pilot was not injured, and the gyroplane was substantially damaged. 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 (VMC) prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed. The gyroplane had departed Chambers County Airport (T00) Anhuac, Texas, about 1130 for a local flight.The pilot took off to go sightseeing for about 30 to 45 minutes to look at the wetlands. He reported being about 250 to 300 ft. above the ground in straight and level flight when he heard and felt something break loose behind him, near where the engine is located. The gyroplane then developed a severe vibration. The pilot reduced power which reduced the vibration but resulted in the gyroplane descending. He added power again, but the gyroplane vibrated severely and wasn't regaining performance. Seeing that he would not make it back to a suitable landing location, the pilot selected a clear area in the swamp beneath him to land. During the forced landing, the gyroplane's right main landing gear sank into the swamp and the gyroplane rolled over onto its right side causing substantial damage to the main rotor blades and rotor mast. A postaccident examination of the pusher propeller showed that one of the three carbon fiber blades had split and come apart. Further examination of the propeller blade showed one half of the blade missing for 3/4 of the outboard length, about 1.5 in. missing from the blade tip of the half that remained, two deep cuts in the leading edge, and a fracture at the blade root near the hub. The damage was consistent with an impact to the blade, however, no object that could have caused such damage was located. Per the aircraft manufacturer, the propeller blade was constructed as two separate halves, bonded together prior to curing, with a foam filled core that bonded to the resin. The manufacturer was aware of two similar cases where a blade split open. Both involved where seat cushions came out of the aircraft and struck the propeller. No other preaccident anomalies with the gyroplane were found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3232Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3232Z-2019-11-29), registration cancelled 2019-11-29, S/N M01054, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOBBY MARTIN AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT - Registry model: [Bobby Martin AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT](https://openairdocs.org/model/bobby-martin-autogyro-mto-sport) (registry code 056320J) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 914 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914-series) (registry code 55575, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: M01054 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 132 - Engines: Rotax 914 UL 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 1, 2015 - Departed: T00, Wallisville, TX - Destination: T00, Wallisville, TX - Airport: T00, Chambers County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 432 total, 132 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: KEFD, 26 nm away ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 30, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92196. 2.7 MB in all. - Pilot's Statement (item 1, .PDF, 214 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472293&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Manufacturer Representative's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472294&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Manufacturer%20Representative%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Maps of the Accident Location (item 3, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472295&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps%20of%20the%20Accident%20Location-Master.PDF - Gerry Speich E-Mail (item 4, .PDF, 408 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472296&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Gerry%20Speich%20E-Mail-Master.PDF - Photographs (item 5, .PDF, 3 photos, 829 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472297&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photographs-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.