# NTSB CHI91DEE03: Air Command Gyrocopter, N447MR, Lansing, IL, March 24, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1991, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Lansing, IL
- Coordinates: 41.609146, -87.540748 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6091&lon=-87.5407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14822
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DEE03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14822/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DEE03

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DELAYED PULLUP.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S EXESSIVE RATE OF DESCENT DURING THE SPIRAL MANEUVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, maneuvering
  - spiral - initiated, pilot in command
  - descent - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, descent
  - pull-up - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE GYROPLANE PILOT ENTERED A DESCENDING SPIRAL ABOUT 1000 FEET ABOVE GROUND AND LANDED HARD IN AN OPEN, MUDDY FIELD. THE PILOT STATED HE FAILED TO RECOVER AT A SAFE ALTITUDE.  EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE SHOWED CONTROL CONTINUITY EXISTED.

## 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: AIR COMMAND GYROCOPTER
- 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
- Engines: Rotax 532 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael M. Resney
- Registered owner: Michael M. Resney
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: 3HA, Lansing

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 498 total, 378 in this make and model, 478 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19910324011839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910324011839A), Mar 24, 1991: Amtrac ELITE532, Chicago, IL, Substantial damage. Failed to recover from pilot induced spiral. Hit ground bounced and came down inverted.

## 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 CHI87DEE05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DEE05), Mar 8, 1987: Resney Commander 447 (N447MR), Lansing, IL, substantial damage

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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