# NTSB CHI07CA081: Rotary Air Force Marketing RAF 2000, N5077F, Neenah, WI, February 23, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 23, 2007, 12:11 local (18:11 UTC) - Place: Neenah, WI - Coordinates: 44.159999, -88.559448 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1600&lon=-88.5594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Milwaukee FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 65453 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65453/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA081 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion. Contributing factors were a bent rudder trim tab, the narrow runway, and the uneven terrain at the edge of the runway pavement. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flt control syst,rudder trim/tab control - bent (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - narrow (contributing factor) - Roll over, landing ## Analysis The gyroplane was substantially damaged when it rolled onto its right side during landing. The pilot reported that he had recently purchased the gyroplane, and while transporting it to his home airport, a trailer tie-down strap had broken and bent the rudder trim tab. The tab was bent back to approximately its original position. The pilot reported that during the initial flight, right rudder was needed to keep the gyroplane straight. When he returned to the airport the gyroplane touched down on the main wheels. It did not come to a full stop before the nose wheel touched down and the gyroplane "jerked hard right." He noted he "forgot to take out the right rudder." His attempts to keep the gyroplane on the runway were unsuccessful, and the right main wheel dropped off the runway pavement. The gyroplane subsequently rolled onto its right side, damaging the main rotor mast and control linkage. ## Factual narrative The gyroplane was substantially damaged when it rolled onto its right side during landing. The pilot was not injured. The pilot reported that he had recently purchased the aircraft and while transporting it to his home airport a trailer tie down strap had broken and bent the rudder trim tab. The tab was bent back to approximately its original position. The pilot reported that during the initial flight, right rudder was needed to keep the aircraft straight. When he returned to the airport, he set up for landing on runway 18 (2,450 feet by 20 feet, asphalt). He stated that the aircraft touched down on the main wheels. It did not come to a full stop before the nose wheel touched down and the aircraft "jerked hard right." He noted he "forgot to take out the right rudder." His attempts to keep the aircraft on the runway were unsuccessful and the right main wheel "dropped off" the runway pavement. The aircraft subsequently rolled onto its right side damaging the main rotor mast and control linkage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5077F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5077F), registered now, S/N H2-05-16-649 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rotary Air Force Marketing RAF 2000 - Registry model: [Marcks Noel L RAF 2000](https://openairdocs.org/model/marcks-noel-l-raf-2000) (registry code 05901BZ) (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 - Serial number: H2-05-16-649 - Airframe hours: 114 - Engines: Subaru EJ2-5 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2006 - Departed: 79C, Neenah, WI - Airport: 79C, Brennand, runway 18, 2,450 × 20 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review January 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 280 total, 35 in this make and model, 246 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.42 inHg - Observed at: ATW, 6 nm away 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.