# NTSB CEN17LA302: James F Hake MTO Sport, N571UJ, Mentone, IN, August 3, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 2017, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Mentone, IN
- Coordinates: 41.150001, -86.0625 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1500&lon=-86.0625&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95746
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17LA302
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95746/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95746
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA302

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper touchdown attitude, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the landing roll.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [James F Hake MTO SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05634GJ), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [James F Hake MTO SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05634GJ), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097) (defining event); cases with it: [James F Hake MTO SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=05634GJ), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The sport pilot of the gyroplane stated that, upon touchdown, he should have raised the aircraft's nose to reduce airspeed; however, he allowed the nosewheel to contact the runway. He subsequently applied right rudder to maintain runway alignment. Since the nosewheel and rudder were interconnected (the nosewheel did not pivot on a caster), the application of rudder resulted in the gyroplane tipping over on its side, and both the rotor and propeller blades struck the ground. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the gyroplane.

## Factual narrative

On August 3, 2017, about 0917 central daylight time, a Hake MTO Sport gyroplane, N571UJ, was substantially damaged when it tipped over on landing at Mentone Airport (C92), Mentone, Indiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The local flight originated about 0930. According to the pilot's accident report, when he touched down on the main landing gear, he applied "moderate" right rudder to maintain runway alignment and to avoid slipping. He stated he should have raised the nose to reduce airspeed, but instead he lowered the nose and struck the runway. The pilot explained that on this particular gyroplane, the nose wheel and rudder are interconnected; that is, the nose wheel does not pivot on a caster. When the gyroplane touched down, it 'jerked" abruptly to the right and tipped over. The pilot concluded, "This accident was the result of pilot error. There was no malfunction [of the gyroplane, flight controls, or engine]."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N571UJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N571UJ), registered now, S/N M01269, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JAMES F HAKE MTO SPORT (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [James F Hake MTO SPORT](https://openairdocs.org/model/james-f-hake-mto-sport) (registry code 05634GJ) (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: M01269
- Year built: 2015
- Airframe hours: 185
- Engines: Rotax 912 ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, July 26, 2017, 185 hours before
- Departed: C92, Mentone, IN
- Destination: C92, Mentone, IN
- Airport: C92, Mentone, runway 36, 2,521 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; injuries: serious; sport pilot; medical: sport pilot; last flight review September 10, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 475 total, 185 in this make and model, 475 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: KRCR, 7 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 20170803012759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170803012759A), Aug 3, 2017: Autogyro MTO SPORT, Mentone, IN, Substantial damage. On August 3, 2017 at approximately 10:00 eastern daylight time, an Mto Sport experimental gyroplane, N571UJ, registered to and operated by a sport pilot,…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95746. 1.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1-2 (item 1, .PDF, 872 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455698&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-2-Master.PDF
- Report Photos (item 2, .PDF, 3 photos, 402 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455699&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Report%20Photos-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.

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