# NTSB DFW05CA120: Mayfield Sparrowhawk, N8023Y, Hondo, TX, May 14, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 14, 2005, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Hondo, TX - Coordinates: 29.356666, -99.326667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3567&lon=-99.3267&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: San Antonio, Texas - NTSB case key (mKey): 61486 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA120 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61486/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA120 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the gyrocraft during takeoff. A contributing factor was the failure of the pre-rotator cable. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - rotorcraft flight control - jammed (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Roll over, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis The 5,600-hour pilot lost control of the gyrocraft during takeoff and the gyrocraft rolled over onto its left side. The pilot stated that prior to the flight he had adjusted the pre-rotator gear. Examination of the gyrocraft revealed that a worn internal bolt within the pre-rotator cable appeared jammed in the engaged position. ## Factual narrative On May 14, 2005, approximately 1400 central daylight time, a Mayfield Sparrowhawk single-engine gyrocraft, N8023Y, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the ground following a loss of control during takeoff from runway 08 at the Hondo Municipal Airport (HDO), near Hondo, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the gyrocraft, was not injured. The gyrocraft was registered and operated by GBA Gyros of Phoenix, of Paradise Valley, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The 5,600-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that the accident flight was the first flight after he had adjusted the pre-rotator gear. During takeoff, the gyrocraft yawed to the right and the pilot attempted to land. As the gyrocraft landed, it rolled over onto its left side. Examination of the Subaru powered gyrocraft by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the tubular structure fuselage was bent and separated in various areas. The main rotor blade was also damaged. Examination of the pre-rotator cable revealed that a worn internal bolt appeared jammed in the engaged position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8023Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8023Y), registered now, S/N 2003003, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mayfield Sparrowhawk - Registry model: [Mayfield James P SPARROWHAWK](https://openairdocs.org/model/mayfield-james-p-sparrowhawk) (registry code 056153A) (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: 2003003 - Airframe hours: 114 - Engines: Subaru EJ 2.5 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gba Gyros Of Phoenix LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 2005, 6 hours before - Departed: HDO, Hondo, TX - Airport: HDO, Hondo Municipal Aiport, runway 08 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 5,600 total, 500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: HDO ## 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 20050514007509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050514007509A), May 14, 2005: SPARROWHAWK, Hondo, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 14, 2005, a sparrow hawk gyrocopter, was involved in an accident at the Hondo Municipal Airport. The pre-rotator cable jammed during rotation… 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.