# NTSB CHI89DEV02: Air Command 503, Sullivan, IL, November 13, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: November 13, 1988, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Sullivan, IL
- Location: 39.5952° N, 88.6089° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sullivan, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5952&lon=-88.6089&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14223
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEV02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14223/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEV02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AIR COMMAND 503
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: O386
- Engines: ROTAX 3693276 47 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William E. Fifer

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6 total, 6 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DEC, 19 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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