# NTSB CEN22LA150: Sparrow Hawk III, N430HS, Lubbock, TX, March 23, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 23, 2022, 10:46 local (15:46 UTC) - Place: Lubbock, TX · Side of runway - Coordinates: 33.485853, -101.81374 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4859&lon=-101.8137&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 104822 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA150 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104822/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104822 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA150 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the gyrocopter during takeoff with strong gusty winds. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Shrimplin Johnnie E SPARROW HAWK III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05630GD), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Shrimplin Johnnie E SPARROW HAWK III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05630GD), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Shrimplin Johnnie E SPARROW HAWK III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05630GD), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Shrimplin Johnnie E SPARROW HAWK III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05630GD), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Shrimplin Johnnie E SPARROW HAWK III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05630GD), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Shrimplin Johnnie E SPARROW HAWK III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05630GD), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff the pilot “felt a force straight down.” The gyroplane impacted the terrain hard, rolled over, and came to rest on its side adjacent to the runway. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and stabilizers. Reported winds about the time accident included wind gusts and a peak wind of 30 knots. A postaccident examination of the gyroplane revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N430HS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N430HS), registered now, S/N S03-0003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Sparrow Hawk III - Registry model: [Shrimplin Johnnie E SPARROW HAWK III](https://openairdocs.org/model/shrimplin-johnnie-e-sparrow-hawk-iii) (registry code 05630GD) (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: S03-0003 - Airframe hours: 69 - Engines: Subaru EJ-25 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 21, 2022 - Airport: F82, Lubbock Executive Airpark, runway 35, 3,500 × 70 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; flight instructor, private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,041 total, 33 in this make and model, 836 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 19 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KLBB, 11 nm away - METAR: KLBB 231553Z 32019G30KT 10SM FEW060 FEW100 FEW150 SCT200 10/M07 A3011 RMK AO2 PK WND 32030/1549 SLP186 VIRGA DSNT NE T01001067 ## 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 20220323004109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220323004109A), Mar 23, 2022: Shrimplin Johnnie E SPARROW HAWK III, Lubbock, TX, Substantial damage. On March 23, 2022, at approximately 1546 CDT, during the takeoff roll-out, N430HS, gyrocopter, registered to an indivdual. The pilot was the only one on aboard… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 19, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104822. 7.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 6.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13606606&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Report%20Millican_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation FAA inspector (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 203 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13606998&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20Inspector%20White-Rel.pdf - Lubbock airport (lbb) METAR (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13607689&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=METAR%20KLBB%20231653Z%2033022G36KT%2010SM%20SCT065%20SCT220%20BKN250%2012-Rel.pdf - Accident photo (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 544 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13607495&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%201-Rel.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.