# NTSB CHI03LA164: McCulloch J-2, N4381G, Magnolia, AR, June 14, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 13, 2003, 20:12 local (Jun 14, 2003, 01:12 UTC) - Place: Magnolia, AR - Coordinates: 33.24472, -93.216941 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2447&lon=-93.2169&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57249 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA164 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57249/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA164 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate weight a balance calculations and inadequate preflight planning. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aircraft weight and balance - not verified, pilot in command (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The pilot stated the gyrocopter sustained substantial damage during a forced landing while he was attempting to give a ride to the passenger. The pilot emptied fuel from the right tank to adjust for the passenger's weight. After becoming airborne, the gyrocopter rolled to the right. The pilot then attempted a forced landing, during which the gyrocopter rolled approximately 10 feet then struck a drainage ditch in a grassy area off the runway. The pilot stated "This wreck could have been prevented by just saying I'm sorry but I think you weigh too much for me to give you a ride." ## Factual narrative On June 13, 2003, at 2012 central daylight time, a McCulloch J-2 gyrocopter, N4381G, owned and piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during a forced landing at Magnolia Municipal Airport (AGO), Magnolia, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. In a written statement, the pilot stated he was attempting to give a ride to the passenger. The pilot emptied fuel from the right tank to adjust for the passenger's weight. After becoming airborne, the gyrocopter began to roll to the right. The pilot added that "full left stick would almost right the craft but it drifted to the right." The pilot then attempted a forced landing, during which the gyrocopter rolled approximately 10 feet and struck a drainage ditch in a grassy area off the runway. The pilot stated, "This wreck could have been prevented by just saying I'm sorry but I think you weigh too much for me to give you a ride." The pilot reported a total flight time of 527 hours, of which 17.5 hours were in the make and model of the accident gyrocopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: N4381G (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: McCulloch J-2 - Category: Gyroplane - Serial number: 091 - Airframe hours: 149.5 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A-2-D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Virgil William Jones - Registered owner: Virgil Jones & Jim Law - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 2003, 17.5 hours before - Departed: AGO, Magnolia, AR - Destination: AGO, Magnolia, AR - Airport: AGO, Magnolia Municpal Airport, runway 18, 4,610 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 25, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 527 total, 18 in this make and model, 527 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: ELD, 20 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 20030613013359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030613013359A), Jun 13, 2003: Aerors J2, Magnolia, AR, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 13, 2003, at 2012 central daylight time, a mcculloch J-2, N4381G, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted… 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.