# NTSB CHI00LA104: Wilson RAF 2000 GTX SE, N1964, Monroe City, MO, April 2, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 2, 2000, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Monroe City, MO - Coordinates: 39.649578, -91.73011 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6496&lon=-91.7301&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48895 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA104 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48895/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA104 ## Probable cause the pilot not obtaining clearance from the trees. Factors were the trees and the ravine terrain condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - crosswind - wind information - misjudged, pilot in command - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ravine (contributing factor) ## Analysis The gyrocopter sustained substantial damage on impact with a tree and terrain following a takeoff from runway 15 for a local flight. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The pilot stated, 'I misread direction of wind from hanger area. I taxied to north end of runway and took off south with a 90 [degree] crosswind. When I passed over hanger area at the south end of runway I hit some turbulence. I should have did a emergency landing in the field south of runway, but chose to continue. At the south end of field that has trees on three sides I didn't have enough altitude to cross a ravine with trees. I hit the top of a large oak tree and fell 50 - 60 ft into the ravine.' The pilot listed his certificate and rating as private and single engine land. An on scene examination revealed no anomalies. Wind at Quincy, Illinois was 210 degrees at 7 knots. The pilot's safety recommendation stated, 'Take off the other direction.' ## Factual narrative On April 2, 2000, at 1800 central daylight time, a Wilson RAF 2000 GTX SE, N1964, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with a tree and terrain following a takeoff from runway 15 (1,500 feet X 50 feet, dry/grass) at a private field near Monroe City, Missouri. The local flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. No flight plan was on file. The personal flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated, "I misread direction of wind from hanger area. I taxied to north end of runway and took off south with a 90 [degree] crosswind. When I passed over hanger area at the south end of runway I hit some turbulence. I should have did a emergency landing in the field south of runway, but chose to continue. At the south end of field that has trees on three sides I didn't have enough altitude to cross a ravine with trees. I hit the top of a large oak tree and fell 50 - 60 ft into the ravine." The pilot listed his certificate and rating as private and single engine land. At 1552, the Quincy Municipal, Baldwin Field Airport, Quincy, Illinois weather was: Wind 210 degrees at 7 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition scattered 3,900 feet scattered 20,000 feet; temperature 16 degrees C; dew point 7 degrees C; altimeter 29.82 inches of mercury. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector performed an on scene examination of the wreckage. The examination revealed no anomalies. The pilot's safety recommendation stated, "Take off the other direction." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1964](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1964-2019-05-04), registration cancelled 2019-05-04, S/N H2-99-10-402, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Wilson RAF 2000 GTX SE (RAF 2000 G) - Registry model: [Wilson Douglas R RAF 2000 GTX SE](https://openairdocs.org/model/wilson-douglas-r-raf-2000-gtx-se) (registry code 05607GX) (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: H2-99-10-402 - Airframe hours: 69 - Engines: Subaru 2200 CC 130 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Douglas R. Wilson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 1, 2000, 20 hours before - Departed: MONROE CITY, MO - Airport: runway 15, 1,500 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 322 total, 74 in this make and model, 271 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: UIN, 31 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 20000402006359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000402006359A), Apr 2, 2000: Amtr RAF2000GTXSE, Monroe City, MO, No damage. (-23) Pilot stated he took off with a passenger onboard with wind blowing perpendicular to takeoff direction. After obtaining an altitude of approximately… 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.