# NTSB CEN25LA046: Rotor Flight Dynamics Dominator, Gilbert, MN, November 15, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 15, 2024, 16:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Gilbert, MN · About 1/2 mile east of the departure end of runway 9, in a swamp. - Coordinates: 47.422724, -92.477146 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4227&lon=-92.4771&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 195531 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA046 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195531/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195531 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA046 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power and subsequent autorotation to a swamp, that resulted in a rollover. Contributing to the pilot’s delayed egression from the gyroplane, was the lack of a restraint system cutting device. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Equipment/furnishings: flight compartment equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022510): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022510/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/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: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Evacuation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460); cases with it: [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md) ## Analysis The non-certificated pilot departed from the airport in the unregistered experimental gyroplane for a local area flight. Shortly after departure, the experimental 2-stroke engine sustained a total loss of engine power. The pilot initiated an autorotation to a swamp. After successfully landing the gyroplane, the pilot began the shutdown process. However, due to the “spongy and soft” ground, the gyroplane began to “wobble,” and the gyroplane rolled over to the right. The pilot was then pinned under the gyroplane, and he was unable to release the lap belt. About an hour later, he found his cellular phone and contacted first responders who were able to later extract him from the gyroplane. The single seat gyroplane, with no airframe serial number, sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system and the empennage. Postaccident examination revealed that the gyroplane had an empty weight of about 405 pounds, that exceeded the 254-pound empty weight limit for powered ultralight vehicles. The pilot reported the gyroplane held “5 to 6 gallons” of fuel, as powered ultralight vehicles are not to exceed a 5-gallon fuel capacity per regulation. When the pilot purchased the gyroplane several months prior to the accident, it came with no documentation, and thus the maintenance history for the airframe and the engine was undetermined. The engine manufacturer has previously published a warning that states, “This engine, by its design, is subject to sudden stoppage.” As a lesson learned, the pilot suggested to have a cutting device available if an occupant is unable to activate the release mechanism for a restraint system. ## Aircraft - Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Rotor Flight Dynamics Dominator (NO SERIES) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: Unknown - Engines: Rotax Aircraft Engines 582 UL 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: None - Departed: EVM, Eveleth, MN - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: serious; student; seat: single; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 325 total, 270 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KEVM, 1 nm away - METAR: KEVM 152205Z AUTO 23003KT 10SM CLR 08/04 A3005 RMK AO1 ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 22, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195531. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 16 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18171755&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident photographs (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 881 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18351897&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photographs-Rel.pdf - Eveleth police department - unregistered aircraft accident report (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18166658&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Eveleth%20Police%20Department%20-%20Unregistered%20Accident%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Federal aviation administration - unregistered aircraft examination report (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18351671&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN25LA046%20FAA%20Examination%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Rotax aircraft engines 582 ul series operators manual - safety information (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 142 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18165803&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Rotax%20Aircraft%20Engines%20582%20UL%20Series%20Operators%20Manual%20-%20Safety%20Information-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.