# NTSB ERA09LA438: Christopher John P CHR-1, N179TC, Norridgewock, ME, July 30, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 30, 2009, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Norridgewock, ME - Coordinates: 44.709445, -69.859725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7094&lon=-69.8597&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74436 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09LA438 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74436/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74436 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA438 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to a broken crankshaft for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Christopher John P CHR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=05607O6), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Christopher John P CHR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=05607O6), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Christopher John P CHR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05607O6), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Christopher John P CHR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05607O6), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the gyroplane stated that after takeoff he climbed to pattern altitude and, while on downwind and abeam the runway numbers, he heard a “pop and then experienced a terrible, violent vibration, seemingly catastrophic in nature. There was no power, but the engine was still running.” As he was conducting a forced landing in rough terrain, the wheel and then the main rotor dug into the ground, causing the ship to roll onto its side. The main rotor, mast, landing gear, and horizontal stabilizer sustained damage. Further examination by the pilot revealed that the engine crankshaft was broken near the No. 1 cylinder. The pistons of the non-certified engine had been replaced about 10 operational hours earlier. ## Factual narrative On July 30, 2009, about 1800 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built CHR-1, N179TC, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at Central Maine Airport (OWK), Norridgewock, Maine. The gyroplane was registered to a private individual. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated at OWK at 1745. The pilot stated that after takeoff, he climbed the gyroplane to pattern altitude, and while on downwind and abeam the runway numbers, he heard a “pop and then experienced a terrible, violent vibration, seemingly catastrophic in nature. There was no power, but the engine was still running.” He said that he was over a landfill, which was the closest site for an emergency landing. During the flare/touchdown, the right wheel caught on rough terrain damaging the mast, main rotor, right landing gear and the horizontal stabilizer. The gyroplane was powered by a 66-horsepower Rotax 583 engine, with about 100 hours of operation since new. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the gyrocopter’s last condition inspection was accomplished on May 23, 2009. The owner/pilot stated to the inspector that the engine was about 10 hours out of overhaul, which included new pistons. On scene examination of the airframe found fuel in the fuel tank, and fuel filters, with no contamination noted. Examination of the intake manifold found the number 2 intake with black oily residue around the area and no residue around the number 1 intake. Further examination by the owner/pilot revealed that the engine crankshaft was broken near the number 1 cylinder. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N179TC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N179TC-2018-01-11), registration cancelled 2018-01-11, S/N 0001, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Christopher John P CHR-1 - Registry model: [Christopher John P CHR-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/christopher-john-p-chr-1) (registry code 05607O6) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 01 - Airframe hours: 104 - Engines: Rotax 583 66 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Christopher John P - Registered owner: Christopher John P - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 23, 2009, 4 hours before - Departed: OWK, Norridgewock, ME - Destination: OWK, Norridgewock, ME - Airport: OWK, Central Maine Airport, runway 21, 3,999 × 90 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: center; flight hours: 407 total, 106 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: WVL, 13 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 20090730048009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090730048009A), Jul 30, 2009: Christopher CHR-1, Norridgewock, ME, Substantial damage. On approach to central Maine airport, norridgewok, ME the pilot heard a loud bang and immediately experienced a vibration accompanied by significant power… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 23, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74436. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 354 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329222&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Digital Photo, Aircraft as it came to rest (item 2, .PDF, 846 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329223&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Digital%20Photo,%20Aircraft%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest-Master.PDF 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.