# NTSB CHI85LA312: Frank H Marchetti Avenger Gyro Plane, N2260N, Shelbyville, IL, July 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1985, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Shelbyville, IL
- Coordinates: 39.399349, -88.800651 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3993&lon=-88.8007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13162
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA312
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13162/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA312

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, standing - engine(s) operating
  - object - aircraft moving on ground (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - radio communications - not used, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - poor, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - radio communications - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

THE GYROPLANE WAS RUNNING UP ON THE END OF THE RWY WHEN THE VARIEZE LANDED ON TOP OF HIM, STRIKING THR ROTOR SYSTEM. THE VARIEZE FLEW A NON=STD FLT PATTERN & DID NOT MAKE A RADIO CALL IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

THE GYROPLANE WAS RUNNING UP ON THE END OF THE RWY WHEN THE VARIEZE LANDED ON TOP OF HIM, STRIKING THE ROTOR SYSTEM. THE VARIEZE FLEW A NON-STID FLT PATTERN & DID NOT MAKE A RADIO CALL IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: N2260N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: FRANK H MARCHETTI AVENGER GYRO PLANE (AVENGER GY)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: FM-1-2000
- Airframe hours: 169
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frank H Marchetti
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 1985, 20 hours before
- Airport: 2H0, Shelby Co., runway 36, 3,900 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N67EZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67EZ-2021-04-17), registration cancelled 2021-04-17, S/N 1187 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HAZELRIGE VARIEZE
- Registry model: [Hazelrigg VERY EZY](https://openairdocs.org/model/hazelrigg-very-ezy) (registry code 0560992) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1187
- Airframe hours: 330
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas J. Hazelrige
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 1985, 2 hours before
- Departed: DEC, DECATUR, IL
- Airport: 2H0, Shelby Co., runway 36, 3,900 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N2260N; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 218 total, 168 in this make and model, 218 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N67EZ; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,500 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DEC, 45 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850722036712A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850722036712A), Jul 22, 1985: Amtr GYROPLANE, Shelbyville, IL, Substantial damage. 67EZ landed on top of aircraft after long straight in. Saw collision coming and hopped into grass.
- [Accident 19850722036711A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850722036711A), Jul 22, 1985: Amtrru VARIEZE, Shelbyville, IL, Minor damage. Made low long straight in approach and struck 2260N who was on end of runway. Second aircraft in flight of 2.

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.
