# NTSB DFW06LA028: Rehler Gyrocopter, N100KR, New Braunfels, TX, November 11, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 11, 2005, 17:05 local (23:05 UTC) - Place: New Braunfels, TX - Coordinates: 29.702777, -98.038612 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7028&lon=-98.0386&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report March 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 62809 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06LA028 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62809/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06LA028 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control while landing. A contributing factor was the high winds. ## Analysis The 700-hour private pilot/builder/owner was approaching Runway 13 when a gust of wind turned the gyrocopter sideways. The gyrocopter subsequently flipped inverted and impacted the runway. Examination of the gyrocopter did not reveal any mechanical deficiencies. The winds at the airport were reported from 150 degrees at 12 knots near the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On November 11, 2005, about 1705 central standard time, an experimental Rehler gyrocopter, N100KR, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while on approach to Runway 13 at the New Braunfels Municipal Airport, near New Braunfels, Texas. The private pilot/builder/owner, sole occupant of the gyroplane, was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The local flight originated at the New Braunfels Airport at an undetermined time. Several witnesses observed the gyrocopter as it descended and approached the runway. When the gyrocopter was about 30 feet above the ground, a gust of wind turned the aircraft sideways, and the gyrocopter "flipped inverted and impacted the runway on its main rotor system." Some of the witnesses reported hearing the engine make a power change before ground impact. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed an on-scene examination of the wreckage. The inspector established flight and engine control continuity and found fuel in the fuel tank. No mechanical deficiencies or anomalies were noted. The pilot designed and constructed the gyrocopter. According to his website, he described his gyrocopter as a single-place, experimental aircraft powered by a 100 HP, four-cylinder, four- cycle Rotax engine. The gyrocopter featured a 27-foot-diameter main rotor system, with a three-bladed, 68-inch-diameter propeller installed in the pusher configuration. The gyrocopter was reported to be capable to cruise between 35 and 95 miles per hour. The pilot's last FAA third class medical was issued on June 9, 2004. At that time, the pilot reported a total of 700 flight hours. Toxicological testing was performed by the FAA's Accident Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Weather reported at the airport at 1751 was wind from 150 degrees at 12 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, broken clouds at 6,000 feet, overcast clouds at 7,000 feet, temperature 81 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 62 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure setting of 29.97 inches of Mercury. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - runway ## Aircraft - Registration: [N100KR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N100KR-2016-08-16), registration cancelled 2016-08-16, S/N 1, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rehler Gyrocopter - Registry model: [Rehler Ken GYROCOPTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/rehler-ken-gyrocopter) (registry code 05608YW) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1 - Engines: Rotax 912S 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kenneth Rehler - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: BAZ, New Braunfels, TX - Airport: BAZ, New Braunfels Municipal, runway 13, 5,352 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 700 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: BAZ ## 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 20051111027969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051111027969A), Nov 11, 2005: New Braunfels, TX, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. (-23) On November 11, 2005, at approximately 1705 central daylight time, an experimental amateur built gyrocopter, N100KR, owned and operated by the pilot… 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.