# NTSB CHI98LA176: Waters Vortex, N1025Y, Monroe, WI, May 27, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 27, 1998, 11:35 local (16:35 UTC) - Place: Monroe, WI - Coordinates: 42.589763, -89.639015 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5898&lon=-89.6390&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10893 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA176 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10893/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA176 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain rotor RPM. A factor associated with the accident was the soft terrain on which the gyrocopter touched down. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, cruise - normal - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated that shortly after departure while at about 1,200 feet above ground level, he felt the gyroplane slowing down and he noticed a loss of rotor RPM. He initiated an emergency descent and elected to land straight ahead in a cultivated field. The pilot initiated a 180 degree turn to avoid tree and the gyroplane descended to impact with the terrain. The left landing gear dug into the soft plowed field and the gyroplane rolled over onto its left side. Post accident inspection of the gyroplane failed to reveal any mechanical failure and/or malfunction which would have prevented normal operation. The pilot installed a pre-rotor system on the gyroplane the weekend before the accident. ## Factual narrative On May 27, 1998, at 1135 central daylight time (cdt), a Waters Vortex gyroplane, N1025Y, impacted the terrain during a forced landing after losing rotor rpm while en route to a private landing strip in Davis, Illinois. The pilot received minor injuries and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The aircraft was being operated as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The flight originated in Monroe, Wisconsin, at 1125 cdt. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The pilot stated that shortly after departure from Monroe Municipal Airport while at about 1,200 feet above ground level, he felt the gyroplane slowing down and he noticed a loss of rotor RPM. He initiated an emergency descent and elected to land straight ahead in a cultivated field. The pilot said he realized he was not going to clear the trees. He initiated a left 180 degree turn and continued his descent to where the gyroplane impacted the terrain. The pilot reported that the left landing gear dug into the soft plowed field and the aircraft rolled over onto its left side. Post accident inspection of the gyroplane by Inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration's Milwaukee Flight Standards District Office failed to reveal any mechanical failure and/or malfunction of the gyroplane or the engine which would have prevented normal operation. The pilot installed a pre-rotor system on the gyroplane the weekend before the accident. Post accident inspection of the pre-rotor system failed to reveal any anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1025Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1025Y-2004-12-16), registration cancelled 2004-12-16, S/N 022, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WATERS VORTEX - Registry model: [Waters Clyde VORTEX](https://openairdocs.org/model/waters-clyde-vortex) (registry code 05603FA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 022 - Airframe hours: 10 - Engines: Rotax 582 67 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Clyde E. Waters - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: EFT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,360 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: EFT, 4 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 19980527011029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980527011029A), May 27, 1998: Amtr VORTEX, Monroe, WI, Substantial damage. Chopper was losing rotary power, and the pilot made an emerg landing in a field. Acft landed hard and sustained dam (.4)the pilot stated that shortly after… 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.