# NTSB CHI87DEE05: Resney Commander 447, N447MR, Lansing, IL, March 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1987, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Lansing, IL
- Coordinates: 41.559642, -87.540222 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5596&lon=-87.5402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13554
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DEE05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13554/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DEE05

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. THE ACC PLT OFFERED TO FLY THE ACFT OUT. HE HAD 30 MIN OF DUAL FLT IN THIS TYPE ACFT. HE SAT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ACFT FOR THE FLT WHICH RESULTED IN AN UNBALANCED CONDITION. THE ACFT ENTERED A LEFT TURN DURING TAKEOFF THAT WAS NOT CORRECTED AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A STEEP LEFT BANK. PLTS EXPERIENCED WITH THIS TYPE ACFT INDICATED THAT A PLT FLYING ALONE IN THIS ACFT WOULD NEED TO SIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BENCH SEAT AND ALSO KEEP HIS WEIGHT FORWARD INSTEAD OF LEANING BACK TO GET THE NORMAL CONTROL RESPONSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N447MR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N447MR-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 3496360, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RESNEY COMMANDER 447 (COMMANDER)
- Registry model: [Resney Michael M COMMANDER 447](https://openairdocs.org/model/resney-michael-m-commander-447) (registry code 1301584) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3496360
- Airframe hours: 40
- Engines: ROTAX 532 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael M. Resney
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 9, 1987, 40 hours before
- Departed: 3HA, LANSING, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 592 total, 1 in this make and model, 557 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19870308005379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870308005379A), Mar 8, 1987: Amtrac ELITE532, Lansing, IL, Substantial damage. Lost control on a pitch up on takeoff. Pilot did not have manufacturers required 50 gyroplane hours to operate type

## Other investigations on N447MR (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI91DEE03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DEE03), Mar 24, 1991: Air Command Gyrocopter (N447MR), Lansing, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S DELAYED PULLUP. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S EXESSIVE RATE OF DESCENT DURING THE SPIRAL MANEUVER.

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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