# NTSB CHI88DEP13: Heibel AIR Command 532, N7015C, Cottage Grove, WI, September 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1988, 16:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Cottage Grove, WI
- Coordinates: 43.080402, -89.200706 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0804&lon=-89.2007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13885
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DEP13
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13885/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEP13

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT THIS AMATEUR BUILT GYROCOPTER EXPERIENCED A MAIN ROTOR STRIKE TO THE RUDDER AND PROPELLER. THE STUDENT PILOT WHO HAD A TOTAL OF EIGHT HOURS FLIGHT TIME, ALL IN THIS AIRCRAFT, WAS CONDUCTING A SOLO FLIGHT IN THIS DUAL CONTROL GYROCOPTER. HE RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES DURING THE IN-FLIGHT BREAKUP AND IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED. THE FLIGHT MANUAL INDICATES 'THE PILOT MUST HAVE AT LEAST 50 HOURS OF SOLO FLIGHT TIME LOGGED IN A COMMANDER GYROPLANE BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO FLY THE 532 COMMANDER DUAL SEAT GYROPLANE...'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7015C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7015C-2013-09-19), registration cancelled 2013-09-19, S/N 1908, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HEIBEL AIR COMMAND 532 (AIR COMMAN)
- Registry model: [Heibel Robert M SB 110](https://openairdocs.org/model/heibel-robert-m-sb-110) (registry code 130014K) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1908
- Airframe hours: 22
- Engines: Rotax 532 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Robert M. Heibel
- Registered owner: Robert M Heibel
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: 52C, Blackhawk Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8 total, 8 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSN, 7 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 19880921043729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880921043729A), Sep 21, 1988: Amtrac ELITE532, Cottage Grove, WI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Improper control input caused rotors to hit prop and inflight breakup. Student was illegally endorsed for operation

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.