# NTSB CEN23LA047: Seace David A Gyroplane, N44088, Iredell, TX, November 22, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 22, 2022, 16:45, time zone not recorded - Place: Iredell, TX · rural - Coordinates: 32.05487, -97.90737 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0549&lon=-97.9074&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 106365 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA047 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106365/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106365 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA047 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line during low-level maneuvering. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: unnecessary action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Seace David A GYROPLANE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045/cases.md?model=05604M4), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Seace David A GYROPLANE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=05604M4), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Seace David A GYROPLANE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05604M4), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/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: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Seace David A GYROPLANE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=05604M4), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The uncertificated pilot departed from a grass field and flew the gyroplane at low altitude over a pipeline right-of-way. The gyroplane struck a power line that the pilot did not see and impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the rotor. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation, and that he should not have flown at low altitude without an observation pass of the area. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N44088](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44088-2023-09-25), registration cancelled 2023-09-25, S/N DAS 2, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SEACE DAVID A GYROPLANE - Registry model: [Seace David A GYROPLANE](https://openairdocs.org/model/seace-david-a-gyroplane) (registry code 0590019) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Hirth F30](https://openairdocs.org/engine/hirth-f30) (registry code 33730, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: DAS 2 - Year built: 2004 - Engines: Subaru reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Seace David A - Registered owner: Seace David A - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: PRIV, Iredell, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 60 total, 30 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: KSEP, 10 nm away - METAR: KSEP 222215Z AUTO 18004KT 10SM BKN024 14/07 A3025 RMK AO2 T01430070 ## 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 20221122018179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221122018179A), Nov 22, 2022: Seace David A GYROPLANE, Iredell, TX, Destroyed. On 11-22-2022 at aproximately 1640 CST aircraft [privacy data omitted], a Gyroplane, was flying over private ranch 75 northwest of waco and hit 2 power wires.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 6, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106365. 8.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 8.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14888116&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo of gyroplane at accident site (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 663 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14888306&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo-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.