# NTSB CHI01LA002: Moseler RAF 2000 GTX SE, N1187Z, Muskegon, MI, October 4, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 4, 2000, 18:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Muskegon, MI - Coordinates: 43.240852, -86.250053 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2409&lon=-86.2501&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report December 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 51079 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA002 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51079/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA002 ## Probable cause The main rotor contacting with the vertical stabilizer, the loss of the vertical stabilizer, and the aircraft control not possible by the pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, cruise - vertical stabilizer - loss,total (cause) - misc rotorcraft,main rotor/tail boom contact (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The amateur-built gyroplane was destroyed on impact with terrain and a post crash fire while en route to land on the pilot/builder's private airstrip. An on-scene examination of the wreckage was performed. The vertical stabilizer of the aircraft was found about 1 mile from the main wreckage site. There was evidence of a main rotor strike to the vertical stabilizer. The pre-rotator drive belts for the rotor system were found about 300 feet from the main wreckage. A post-impact fire extensively damaged the main wreckage. No anomalies could be found that could be associated with a preexisting condition. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 4, 2000, at 1845 eastern daylight time, a Moseler RAF 2000 GTX SE Gyroplane, N1187Z, owned and operated by a private pilot was destroyed on impact with terrain and a post crash fire near Muskegon, Michigan. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight originated from the Muskegon County Airport, Muskegon, Michigan at 1828 and was en route to the pilot's private airstrip in Muskegon Michigan. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The aircraft builder/pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rotorcraft-gyroplane rating. He held a repairman certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the accident aircraft. The pilot also held a third class aviation medical certificate issued on June 20, 2000. No pilot logbooks were recovered. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The weather reporting station located at the Muskegon County Airport, Muskegon, Michigan reported the weather at 1845 as: Wind direction 340 degrees Wind Speed 8 knots Visibility 10 statute miles Sky Condition clear Temperature 12 degrees Celsius Dewpoint 5 degrees Celsius Altimeter Setting 30.08 inches of mercury WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The aircraft was an amateur-built enclosed-cabin gyroplane. A converted Subaru automobile engine of undetermined horsepower powered it. No aircraft logbooks were recovered. FAA inspectors conducted an on-scene examination of the wreckage. The vertical stabilizer of the aircraft was found about 1 mile from the main wreckage site. There was evidence of a main rotor strike to the vertical stabilizer. The pre-rotator drive belts for the rotor system were found about 300 feet from the main wreckage. The tail boom was located about 75 feet from the main wreckage. A post-impact fire extensively damaged the main wreckage. No anomalies could be found that could be associated with a preexisting condition. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION Sparrow Regional Laboratories, Lansing, Michigan, performed an autopsy of the pilot on October 05, 2000. A Final Forensic Toxicology Fatal Accident Report prepared by the FAA listed the following findings: 19(mg/dL, mg/hg) ETHANOL detected in muscle The report states, "The ethanol found in this case is from postmortem ethanol formation and not from the ingestion of ethanol." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1187Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1187Z-2001-03-30), registration cancelled 2001-03-30, S/N 002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Moseler RAF 2000 GTX SE (RAF 2000 G) - Registry model: [Moseler Sidney L RAF 2000 GTX SE](https://openairdocs.org/model/moseler-sidney-l-raf-2000-gtx-se) (registry code 05604PP) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 2 - Engines: Subaru UNKNOWN reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sidney L. Moseler - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: MKG - Destination: PVT, MI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 25 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 129 °F, dew point 106 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MKG, 9 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 20001004015839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001004015839A), Oct 4, 2000: Muskegon, MI, No damage. (-23) While enroute from Muskegon, MI. (Kmkg) to tomanica airfield, a private airfield approx. 8 miles east southeast of the Muskegon, MI. Airport (kmkg), the… 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.