# NTSB CHI90DET02: Air Command 532, Munster, IN, January 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: January 22, 1990, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Munster, IN
- Coordinates: 41.540004, -87.500778 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5400&lon=-87.5008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14492
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DET02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14492/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DET02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S EXCEEDING THE DESIGN STRESS LIMITS OF THE AIRCRAFT. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S OSTENTATIOUS DISPLAY AND HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE 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 handling - abrupt, pilot in command
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON-RATED PILOT WAS OBSERVED MAKING SEVERAL LOW ALTITUDE, LOW SPEED PASSES. THE GYROPLANE WAS THEN OBSERVED MAKING HIGH BANK TURNS AND ACCELERATING TO SPEEDS FASTER THAN THE WITNESSES HAD SEEN A GYROPLANE FLY BEFORE. AFTER ROLLING OUT OF A TURN AND LEVELING OFF, THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO BEGIN A SERIES OF UP-AND-DOWN ROLLER COASTER-LIKE MANEUVERS FOLLOWED BY A DIVING ROLL TO IMPACT. THE PILOT HAD A STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE AND HAD RECEIVED GYROPLANE INSTRUCTION FROM TWO INSTRUCTORS. NEITHER INSTRUCTOR HAD CERTIFIED THE PILOT FOR SOLO FLIGHT IN A GYROPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AIR COMMAND 532
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Engines: ROTAX 532LC 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sheimo, Julian A.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: 3HA, LANSING, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 36 total, 13 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: GYY, 9 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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