# NTSB DFW05CA024: McCulloch J2, N62SJ, Camden, AR, October 27, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 27, 2004, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Camden, AR
- Coordinates: 33.622776, -92.763336
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6228&lon=-92.7633&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 60594
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60594/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA024

## Probable cause

The separation of the engine exhaust stack for undetermined reasons.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - exhaust system,stack - separation (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

The 605-hour rotorcraft pilot reported that during cruise flight the left rear exhaust stack from the pusher engine separated and struck the propeller.  Subsequently, the pilot initiated an autorotation to a highway and landed the gyrocraft without further incident.  Examination of the remaining portion of the exhaust stack by the pilot revealed that it had separated outboard of the flange.

## Factual narrative

On October 27, 2004, approximately 1000 central daylight time, a McCulloch Aircraft Corporation J-2 single-engine gyrocraft, N62SJ, sustained substantial damage during cruise flight following an in-flight separation of the engine exhaust stack.  The gyrocraft was registered to and operated by the pilot.  The private pilot, sole occupant of the gyrocraft, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.  The cross-country flight originated from the Harrell Field Airport, near Camden, Arkansas, approximately 5 minutes prior, and was destined for the Magnolia Municipal Airport, near Magnolia, Arkansas.

The 605-hour pilot reported in a written statement that during cruise flight, the gyrocraft started to vibrate and he shut the engine down.  Subsequently, the pilot initiated an autorotation to a highway and landed without further incident.

Examination of the gyrocraft by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the site of the accident, revealed the right tailboom was partially separated.  Examination of the gyrocraft by the pilot revealed that the left rear exhaust stack had separated at the flange and had struck the propeller.

The pilot also reported that the gyrocraft's most recent annual inspection was performed on May 22, 2003, and had accumulated a total of 99 hours of flight since the inspection.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62SJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62SJ-2018-03-15), registration cancelled 2018-03-15, S/N 091, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: McCulloch J2
- Registry model: [Mcculloch J-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcculloch-j-2) (registry code 5500604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane
- Serial number: 091
- Airframe hours: 231
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A20 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Virgil W Jones
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 2003, 99 hours before
- Departed: CDH, Camden, AR
- Destination: AGO, Magnolia, AR
- Airport: CDH, Harrell Field Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 8, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 605 total, 99 in this make and model, 605 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 20041027028259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041027028259A), Oct 27, 2004: Aerors J2, Camden, AR, Substantial damage. (-23) 10/27/04 At 1125AM, aircraft N62SJ, mccullock Aerors J-2 gyro-plane conducted an emergency landing onto a highway. One of the exhaust broke loose and…

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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