# NTSB DEN93LA003: O'Connor SNO-BIRD XL, N532SB, Bryan, TX, October 10, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 10, 1992, 15:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Bryan, TX
- Location: 30.7157° N, 96.3314° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at COULTER FLD (CFD), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7157&lon=-96.3314&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18256
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18256/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA003

## Probable cause

DELAMINATION OF THE RUDDER LEADING EDGE AND SUBSEQUENT JAMMING OF THE RUDDER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - flight control,rudder surface - delamination (cause)
  - flight control,rudder - jammed (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS DEMONSTRATING VARIOUS MANEUVERS IN HIS GYROCOPTER AT AN AIR SHOW.  HE ENTERED A LEFT VERTICAL SPIN AND NOTED THE ENTRY WAS SLUGGISH. WHEN HE ADDED POWER TO AID IN SPIN DEVELOPMENT, THE RUDDER JAMMED FULL LEFT.  EFFORTS TO RECOVER WERE TO NO AVAIL AND THE GYROCOPTER IMPACTED TERRAIN NEXT TO THE AIRPORT RUNWAY.  POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THE LEADING EDGE OF THE FIBERGLASS RUDDER HAD DELAMINATED AND HAD JAMMED THE RUDDER IN THE FULL LEFT POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N532SB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N532SB), registered now, S/N 1, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: O'CONNOR SNO-BIRD XL (SNO-BIRD X)
- Registry model: [Oconnor Douglas J SNO-BIRD XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/oconnor-douglas-j-sno-bird-xl) (registry code 13015CE) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 67
- Engines: Rotax 582LC 66 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: O'Connor, Dougas J.
- Registered owner: O'Connor, Dougas J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 1992, 8 hours before
- Departed: CFD
- Destination: CFD
- Airport: CFD, Coulter Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; airline transport, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 14,854 total, 67 in this make and model, 12,531 as pilot in command, 165 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19921010041469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921010041469A), Oct 10, 1992: Amtr SNOBIRDXL, Bryan, TX, Substantial damage. Lost control in hovering sideward movement. Rudder delaminated and jammed. Bent rudder horn to stop spin. 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.

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