# NTSB CHI97LA018: Frost RAF 2000 GTX SE, N914VT, Adrian, MI, November 2, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 2, 1996, 13:52 local (18:52 UTC) - Place: Adrian, MI - Coordinates: 41.889564, -84.039886 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8896&lon=-84.0399&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10486 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA018 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10486/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA018 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft. A factor was his lack of familiarity with the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, cruise - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot had received 8.8 hours of dual instruction in the gyroplane. He had no solo flight experience when he departed on a planned cross country flight. A few minutes after takeoff, the gyroplane was observed making abrupt maneuvers followed by a departure of portions of the aircraft and a descent into the terrain. ## Factual narrative On November 2, 1996, at 1352 eastern standard time, a Frost RAF 2000 GTX SE (Gyroplane), N914VT, received substantial damage on impact with the terrain following contact between the main rotor system, the pusher propeller and other portions of the airframe. The accident occurred about two miles southeast of Adrian, Michigan. The student pilot sustained fatal injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Adrian, Michigan, about 1345 en route to an unknown destination in Ohio. Witnesses to the accident stated that the gyroplane was flying from north to south. Two witnesses stated that the aircraft was observed to pitch nose up and down several times at which time parts were seen to depart and the gyroplane impacted the terrain. According to a witness interviewed by the Lenawee County Sheriff's Deputy, he thought the pilot might be doing "tricks." One individual at the Lenawee County Airport, Adrian, Michigan, said that the gyroplane had been based at that airport by the pilot/owner; however, on the day of the accident the pilot had arrived in an airplane with the intention of flying the gyroplane to an undetermined location in Ohio. According to the logbook found in the gyroplane after the accident, the aircraft had a total time of 19 hours. The pilot was the holder of a student pilot certificate and he had accumulated 8.8 hours experience in the accident aircraft. All of this time was dual with no solo endorsement from an instructor recorded in his logbook and no solo time logged. The "Experimental Operating Limitations" issued to the amateur built gyroplane are attached to this report. These limitations indicate that all flights prior to the aircraft reaching 40 hours of operation, must be conducted within 25 miles of the Lenawee County Airport. The limitations also stipulate that the pilot-in-command must hold an appropriate rating or have a flight instructor's logbook endorsement. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigator's found no mechanical anomalies in the wreckage which they could associate with a pre-existing condition. An autopsy of the pilot was conducted at the Bixby Medical Center, Adrian, Michigan, on November 3, 1996. No pre-existing pathological conditions were found. A toxicological examination of specimens from the pilot were examined by the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute. The tests were negative for drugs screened. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N914VT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N914VT-2017-05-23), registration cancelled 2017-05-23, S/N H2-95-6-174, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Frost RAF 2000 GTX SE (RAF 2000 G) - Registry model: [Frost Gary L RAF 2000 GTX SE](https://openairdocs.org/model/frost-gary-l-raf-2000-gtx-se) (registry code 05603DQ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Subaru ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 59050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: H2-95-6-174 - Airframe hours: 39 - Engines: Subaru LEGACY EJ22 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gary L. Frost - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Unknown, July 24, 1996, 39 hours before - Departed: ADG, ADRIAN, MI - Destination: UNKONWN, OH ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 23 total, 9 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,400 ft broken - Temperature: 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: KTO, 18 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 19961102034619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961102034619A), Nov 2, 1996: Amtr RAF2000, Adrain, MI, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Experimental gyrocopter exploded in mid air. (.4) the pilot had received 8.8 hours of dual instruction in the gyroplane. He had no solo flight experience when… 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.