# NTSB DFW08LA105: Blevens Gary Vortex, N94470, Berclair, TX, April 19, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 19, 2008, 17:49 local (23:49 UTC) - Place: Berclair, TX - Coordinates: 28.608333, -97.609443 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6083&lon=-97.6094&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report January 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminisration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67849 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08LA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67849/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08LA105 ## Probable cause Loss of control for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Blevens Gary VORTEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05622M7), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not specified; cases with it: [Blevens Gary VORTEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05622M7), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Blevens Gary VORTEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05622M7), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Blevens Gary VORTEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05622M7), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The amateur built gyrocopter was substantially damaged upon collision with terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering. There were no eyewitnesses to the accident. The gyrocopter impacted a flat open field and had come to rest on its right side. There was no evidence of a post crash fire. Control continuity was established to all flight and engine controls. All major components were accounted for at the accident site. Damage to the propeller was consistent with the engine producing power at the time of impact. The reason for the loss of control could not be determined. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 19, 2008, about 1749 central standard time, an amateur built single-engine Blevins Vortex gyrocopter, N94470, was substantially damaged upon collision with terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering at Goliad County Industrial Airpark (7T3). The pilot, the sole occupant of the gyrocopter, was fatally injured. The gyrocopter was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from 7T3, near Berclair, Texas, at an unknown time. There were no eyewitnesses to the accident. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. No records were found to suggest that the pilot held a sport pilot certificate. No personal flight records were located for the pilot and no application for a medical certificate was located. The pilot's flight time in gyrocopters could not be determined. GYROCOPTER INFORMATION The 2007-model Vortex gyrocopter, serial number 056, was equipped with a single pusher engine, teetering blade rotor system, and was configured for one occupant. The gyrocopter was powered by a two cylinder Rotax 582 engine rated at 64 horsepower, and was driving a three-bladed Wood Comp composite propeller. The gyrocopter's airframe and engine maintenance records where not located during the course of the investigation. The gyrocopter's special airworthiness certificate was issued January 28, 2008. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION At 1746, the automated weather observing system at the Beeville Municipal Airport (BEA), near Beeville, Texas, located approximately 18 nautical miles to the southwest, reported winds from 120 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 19 knots, visibility 10 miles, skies clear, temperature 82 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 39 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 29.95 inches of Mercury. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the accident site. The inspector reported that the gyrocopter had impacted a flat open field and had come to rest on its right side. There was no evidence of a post crash fire. Control continuity was established to all flight and engine controls. All major components were accounted for at the accident site. According to the FAA inspector, two of four bolts in the main rotor head squash plate appeared to be improperly torqued; however, investigators could not determine if this contributed to the accident. Damage to the propeller was consistent with the engine producing power at the time of impact. The reason for the loss of control could not be determined. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The Office of Medical Examiner of Travis County, located in Austin, Texas, performed an autopsy on the pilot on April 20, 2008. The cause of death was listed as, "multiple blunt force injuries." The FAA, Toxicology Accident Research Laboratory, located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, conducted toxicological testing on the pilot. The results of the test were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol, and tested drugs. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N94470](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94470-2018-01-24), registration cancelled 2018-01-24, S/N 056, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BLEVENS GARY VORTEX - Registry model: [Blevens Gary VORTEX](https://openairdocs.org/model/blevens-gary-vortex) (registry code 05622M7) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 056 - Engines: ROTAX 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 7T3, Berclair, TX - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 7T3, Goliad County Industrial ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: single; toxicology performed ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 13 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KBEA, 17 nm away ## 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 20080419835809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080419835809A), Apr 19, 2008: Amtr VORTEX, Berclair, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) The com center called at approximately 18:30 local time. There was a report of a gyro copter crash at Goliad airfield Industrial park (7T3). The report… 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.