# NTSB CHI85FA315: Christopher D. Brown Gyroplane, N46Z, Oshkosh, WI, July 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1985, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Oshkosh, WI
- Coordinates: 44.059795, -88.540679 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0598&lon=-88.5407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12857
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA315
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12857/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA315

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - in-flight planning/decision - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING LOW ALTITUDE MANEUVERS, ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY. WHEN HE TURNED TO MAKE A DOWNWIND, AT THE SOUTHEAST END OF THE RUNWAY, HE IMPACTED WITH THE TERRAIN. WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY OBSERVED THE GYROPLANE MAKING STEEP TURNS AT A LOW ALTITUDE AND IT HAD JUST ENTERED A STEEP LEFT TURN, DOWNWIND AT A 45 DEGREE NOSEDOWN ANGLE, WHEN THE GYROPLANE FLEW INTO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46Z-1988-11-23), registration cancelled 1988-11-23, S/N 121546 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHRISTOPHER D. BROWN GYROPLANE
- Registry model: [Brown Christopher D GYROPLANE](https://openairdocs.org/model/brown-christopher-d-gyroplane) (registry code 1301553) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 121546
- Airframe hours: 53
- Engines: ROTAX 503 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Christopher D. Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 3, 1984, 52 hours before
- Departed: OSH, OSHKOSH, WI
- Airport: OSH, Oshkosh

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 83 total, 83 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OSH

## 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 19850726034339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850726034339A), Jul 26, 1985: Amtrbx BENSENB8M, Oshkosh, WI, Destroyed. The gyroplane stalled during an airshow while maneuvering at low altitude and impacted the ground.

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.

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