# NTSB CHI86LA232: Mcculloch J-2, N90563, Rush City, MN, September 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1986, 09:43 local (14:43 UTC)
- Place: Rush City, MN
- Coordinates: 45.679286, -92.959976 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6793&lon=-92.9600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13529
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86LA232
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13529/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA232

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - qualification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

JUST AFTER LIFT OFF, WHILE TAKING OFF WITH A TAIL WIND, THE PLT DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL & DID NOT REALIZE THE GYROCOPTER WAS GOING INTO AN UNUSUAL ATTITUDE. HE SAID THAT WHEN HE DID NOTICE WHAT HAD HAPPENED, HE 'JUST GOT READY FOR THE CRASH.'  HE DID NOT HOLD THE PROPER CERTIFICATE FOR THIS ACFT & HAD ONLY 7 HRS OF GYROPLANE EXPERIENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90563](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90563-2013-09-11), registration cancelled 2013-09-11, S/N 081, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCCULLOCH J-2
- Registry model: [Mcculloch J-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcculloch-j-2) (registry code 5500604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane
- Serial number: 081
- Airframe hours: 140
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard L. Bakken
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 30, 1985, 10 hours before
- Departed: 54Y
- Destination: 54Y
- Airport: S4Y, Rush City Muni, runway 33, 3,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; seat: front; flight hours: 170 total, 7 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSP, 40 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 19860926048869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860926048869A), Sep 26, 1986: Aerors J2MCCULH, Rush City, MN, Destroyed. The gyrocopter impacted the ground and burned during an attempted downwind takeoff. Pilot was not properly rated.

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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