# NTSB DFW05CA163: CarterCopter CarterCopter, N121CC, Olney, TX, June 17, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 17, 2005, 09:57 local (14:57 UTC) - Place: Olney, TX - Coordinates: 33.350555, -98.751663 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3506&lon=-98.7517&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Fort Worth, TX - NTSB case key (mKey): 61742 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA163 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61742/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA163 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to maintain control of the gyrocraft during a forced landing as a result of a loss of cyclic and collective control. Contributing factors were the sheared propeller drive pulley bolts, broken wire on the co-pilots cyclic boost control solenoid, failure of the ballistic parachute to deploy, and the lack of suitable terrain for forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Rotor failure/malfunction, cruise - normal - rotor drive system,main rotor driving pulley - loose part/bolt/nut/clamp/etc (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - rotorcraft flight control,cyclic control - restricted (contributing factor) - flt control syst,boost system - failure (contributing factor) - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled - safety system(other) - not operating (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis During a research and development flight, the gyrocraft was flying at an airspeed of 151 miles per hour when the 2,400-hour pilot heard a noise from the engine compartment. The pilot stated that the gyrocraft started to roll to the left despite control inputs. After an unsuccessful attempt to deploy the onboard ballistic parachute, the pilot initiated a forced landing. The pilot attempted to flare using the control stick only and "did not pull collective." Subsequently, the gyrocraft impacted trees before hitting the ground. An examination of the gyrocraft revealed that bolts holding the propeller drive pulley to the propeller drive shaft were "sheared" and a wire to the co-pilot cyclic boost control solenoid was separated. ## Factual narrative On June 17, 2005, at 0957 central daylight time, a CarterCopter gyrocraft, N121CC, registered and operated by CarterCopters LLC, of Wichita Falls, Texas, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees following a loss of control while maneuvering near Olney, Texas. The private pilot and flight test engineer were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 research and development flight. The local flight originated from the Olney Municipal Airport (ONY), near Olney, Texas, approximately 0945. The operator reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that while conducting a test flight, the gyrocraft had been flying at an airspeed of 151 miles per hour (mph) in smooth air conditions. The 2,400-hour pilot "heard a noise from the engine compartment" and reduced throttle. As airspeed decayed, the "spindle tilted to the left" and the gyrocraft started to roll to the left. The pilot pushed the control stick to the right and noted that he lost half of the "rotor control" as the gyrocraft continued turning to the left. As the pilot established a nose down attitude to maintain airspeed, he engaged the ballistic parachute switch; however, the parachute did not deploy. As a high rate of decent increased, the pilot attempted to flare using the control stick only and did not "pull collective." Subsequently, the gyrocraft impacted mesquite trees before hitting the ground. The gyrocraft came to rest on its left side in a level attitude approximately three miles east of ONY. An examination of the gyrocraft by the operator revealed that the main rotor blades were destroyed. The left and right wing, tail boom and horizontal stabilizer were separated from the fuselage. The bolts holding the propeller drive pulley to the propeller drive shaft were found "sheared." A wire to the co-pilot cyclic boost control solenoid was found separated. At 1004, the automated surface observing system at the Graham Airport (RPH), located 20 miles southeast from the accident site, reported wind from 130 degrees at 5 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, temperature 30 degrees Celsius, dew point 18 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 29.83 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N121CC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N121CC), registered now, S/N 001, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CarterCopter LLC CarterCopter - Registry model: [Cartercopters CARTERCOPTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/cartercopters-cartercopter) (registry code 05606CO) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane - Serial number: 1 - Airframe hours: 20 - Engines: unknown GMLS-6 400 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Registered owner: CarterCopter LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 1, 2005, 0.5 hours before - Departed: KONY, Olney, TX - Destination: KONY, Olney, TX - Airport: KONY, Olney Municiple Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 2,400 total, 100 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2004; seat: right; flight hours: 380 total, 80 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 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 20050617014759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050617014759A), Jun 17, 2005: Amtr CARTERCOPTER, Olney, TX, Destroyed. (-23) During taxi PIC engaged pre-rotor and the aircraft became uncontrollable. ## Other investigations on N121CC (5) 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. - [NTSB FTW03LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA125), Apr 8, 2003: CarterCopter Prototype (N121CC), Olney, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear. A factor was his diverted attention. - [NTSB FTW01LA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA108), Apr 29, 2001: Cartercopters Cartercopter (N121CC), Olney, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff initial climb. Contributory factors were the pilot's lack of experience with the aircraft and the soft terrain. - [NTSB FTW01LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA086), Mar 25, 2001: Cartercopters Cartercopter (N121CC), Olney, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm, which resuted in the main rotor contacting the tail during landing. - [NTSB FTW01LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA040), Dec 13, 2000: Cartercopter Model 1 (N121CC), Olney, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's delay in lowering the collective during a run-on landing, which resulted in a runway overrun. A factor was the muddy terrain. - [NTSB FTW00LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA045), Dec 16, 1999: Cartercopters Cartercopter (N121CC), Olney, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm during takeoff, which resulted in a hard landing following the aborted takeoff. 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.