# NTSB CEN22LA311: Rotorsport UK MTOSport 2017, N44AL, Mead, OK, July 1, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 1, 2022, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Mead, OK · woods - Coordinates: 33.9542, -96.5773 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9542&lon=-96.5773&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 105444 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA311 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105444/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105444 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA311 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Rotorsport UK MTOSPORT 2017, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7730110), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Rotorsport UK MTOSPORT 2017, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=7730110), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Rotorsport UK MTOSPORT 2017, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7730110), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Rotorsport UK MTOSPORT 2017, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7730110), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported a partial loss of engine power during cruise flight. The gyroplane impacted a power line and trees during the subsequent forced landing. The fuselage and empennage sustained substantial damaged during the impact. About 1 cup of water was recovered from the fuel tank/lines. A subsequent engine test run performed by the pilot/owner did not reveal any anomalies with respect to normal operation. The pilot stated that he was diligent in obtaining preflight fuel samples and was uncertain how any water could have been introduced into the fuel system. After an approximate 2-hour flight since refueling, the likelihood of a fuel contamination event was remote. However, based on the subsequent engine run with no anomalies noted, the reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On July 1, 2022, about 1230 central daylight time, a Rotorsport UK Ltd MTOSport 2017 gyroplane, N44AL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Mead, Oklahoma. The pilot was not injured. The gyroplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported initially departing about 0800. He landed “off field to visit a friend” and subsequently departed again about 1100. During that flight, he experienced a partial loss of engine power while in cruise flight. The gyroplane impacted a power line and trees during the forced landing. The fuselage and empennage sustained substantial damaged during the impact. The gyrocopter was recovered from the site 2 days after the accident. The pilot/owner stated that the engine assembly appeared intact and undamaged, and engine control continuity was confirmed. All fuel lines were secure with no chafing damage. About 1 cup of water was recovered from the fuel tank/lines. The fuel tank cap was securely installed, and the seal appeared intact. After installation of a new propeller, an engine test run was conducted by the pilot/owner. It started with some difficulty; however, once it was running, the operation smoothed out and it ran without any obvious anomalies. The aircraft fuel pump operated normally when tested. The pilot noted that the gyroplane was refueled with automotive fuel before the initial flight of the day, and directly from a gas station. He did not use any type of intermediate container such as fuel cans to transfer fuel to the gyroplane and was diligent in obtaining preflight fuel samples. He was uncertain how any water could have been introduced into the fuel system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N44AL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N44AL), registered now, S/N RSUK-M01835, built 2019 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rotorsport UK Ltd MTOSport 2017 - Registry model: [Rotorsport UK MTOSPORT 2017](https://openairdocs.org/model/rotorsport-uk-mtosport-2017) (registry code 7730110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 915 IS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-915-is-series) (registry code 55620, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane - Serial number: RSUK-M01835 - Year built: 2019 - Airframe hours: 90 - Engines: Rotax 915iS 141 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Limited (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 12, 2021, 37.3 hours before - Departed: F31, Kingston, OK - Destination: PVT, Denton, TX - Airport: N/A, runway N/A - Equipment: Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: serious; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review August 5, 2021; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,000 total, 90 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KDUA, 7 nm away - METAR: METAR KDUA 011755Z AUTO 13008KT 090V160 10SM CLR 34/15 A3001 ## 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 20220701022989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220701022989A), Jul 1, 2022: Rotorsport MTOSPORT 2017, Durant, OK, Substantial damage. Gyroplane, departed kingston, OK (F31) for a local area flight. As the pilot was flying on the side of a lake, the aircraft lost power and only had about 30%… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105444. 225 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 251 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14400444&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Report%20--%20CEN22LA311_redacted-Rel.pdf - Conversation summary -- pilot / owner (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 149 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14757098&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20--%20PhillipOlandese-Rel.pdf - Accident photos (item 3, PDF, 7 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14400133&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20--%20CEN22LA311-Rel.pdf - Airplane maintenance records (item 4, PDF, 12 pages, 224 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14400538&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20--%20N44AL_redacted-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.