# NTSB CHI98LA163: Butler Tool RAF 2000, N4062H, Rensselaer, IN, May 16, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1998, 16:47 local (20:47 UTC)
- Place: Rensselaer, IN
- Coordinates: 40.929569, -87.139587 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9296&lon=-87.1396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10886
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10886/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA163

## Probable cause

the pilot excessively flared the gyroplane during the landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

The pilot reported he made a 'normal' approach to runway 27.  He reported that he had 'too much flare' during the landing and the gyroplane got into a nose high attitude.  According to the pilot, the rotor blades then contacted the ground.  The gyroplane then touched down hard and rolled over.

## Factual narrative

On May 16, 1998, at 1647 eastern daylight time, a Butler Tool RAF 2000, N4062H, operated by a private pilot rolled over following a loss of control while landing at the Jasper County Airport, Rensselaer, Indiana.  The pilot was not injured.  The gyroplane was substantially damaged.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The flight originated from the Jasper County Airport, at 1630 edt.

The pilot reported he made a "normal" approach to runway 27.  He reported that he had "too much flare" during the landing and the gyroplane got into a nose high attitude.  According to the pilot, the rotor blades then contacted the ground.  The gyroplane then touched down hard and rolled over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4062H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4062H-2000-01-18), registration cancelled 2000-01-18, S/N H2-93-4-92 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Butler Tool RAF 2000
- Registry model: [Butler Tool And Design RAF 2000](https://openairdocs.org/model/butler-tool-and-design-raf-2000) (registry code 05625U5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: H2-93-4-92
- Airframe hours: 192
- Engines: Subaru EJ22 130 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James A. Butler
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1998, 2 hours before
- Departed: RZL
- Airport: RZL, Jasper County, runway 27, 2,000 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 388 total, 168 in this make and model, 388 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAF, 37 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 19980516009669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980516009669A), May 16, 1998: Amtr RAF2000, Rensslaer, IN, Substantial damage. Acft flipped over on its side on landing, circumstances are unknown, rensselaer, IN. (.4) on may 16, 1998, at 1647 eastern daylight time, a butler tool raf…

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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