# NTSB CHI88DEI02: Geddes Commander 503, N9173W, North Lima, OH, July 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1988, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: North Lima, OH
- Coordinates: 40.949268, -80.650382 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9493&lon=-80.6504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13861
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DEI02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13861/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEI02

## Probable cause

PILOTS CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT WITH A KNOWN DEFICIENCY AND ATTEMPTING TO STRETCH HIS PARTIAL POWER DESCENT TO REACH A RUNWAY RATHER THAN LAND OFF AIRPORT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - proper glidepath - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE GYROPLANE STRUCK A TREE WITH THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES AND DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL INTO TERRAIN. THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO STRETCH A PARTIAL POWER EMERGENCY DESCENT TO REACH HIS INTENDED TOUCH DOWN POINT. THE PILOT REPORTED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS. NO MALFUNCTIONS OR MECHANICAL FAILURES WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9173W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GEDDES COMMANDER 503 (COMMANDER)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: ETG-1
- Airframe hours: 151
- Engines: ROTAX 503 20 lbs thrust reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edward T. Geddes
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 3, 1988, 3 hours before
- Departed: 4G4
- Destination: 4G4
- Airport: 4G4, Elser Metro

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,300 total, 27 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: YNG, 10 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.

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