# NTSB CHI92DCD05: Rutter 532 Commander, N211CL, Washburn, IA, May 31, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1992, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Washburn, IA
- Location: 42.4103° N, 92.2669° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Washburn, IA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4103&lon=-92.2669&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15209
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92DCD05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15209/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92DCD05

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE GRYOCOPTER DURING INITIAL CLIMB.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft control - not maintained, 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
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT SAW THE GYROCOPTER PORPOISE SEVERAL TIMES DURING INITIAL CLIMB.  THEY SAW THE AIRCRAFT BANK STEEPLY TO THE LEFT UNTIL IT BECAME INVERTED THEN DESCEND INTO THE GROUND.  ONE WITNESS WHO ASSISTED THE PILOT IN STARTING THE AIRCRAFT NOTED THE PILOT APPEARED TO BE NERVOUS BEFORE THE FLIGHT.  HE ALSO NOTED THE TAKEOFF RUN SEEMED UNUSUALLY LONG. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE SHOWED THE FLIGHT CONTROL CABLES AND HARDWARE TO BE INTACT. NO MECHANICAL DEFECTS WERE DISCOVERED IN THE AIRFRAME OR POWERPLANT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N211CL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N211CL-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N RRR-2, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RUTTER 532 COMMANDER (532 COMMAN)
- Registry model: [Rutter Royce R 532 COMMANDER ELITE](https://openairdocs.org/model/rutter-royce-r-532-commander-elite) (registry code 130014H) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: RRR-2
- Engines: ROTAX 532 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Royce R. Rutter
- Registered owner: Royce R. Rutter
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 1992, 1 hours before
- Departed: 8C8

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 439 total, 7 in this make and model, 371 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALO, 10 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 19920531017069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920531017069A), May 31, 1992: Amtrac ELITE532, Washburn, IA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Shortly after takeoff aircraft made steep bank, rolled inverted and crashed.

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.