# NTSB ERA09LA544: Celier Xenon RST, N4462J, Mount Pleasant, SC, September 25, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 25, 2009, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Mount Pleasant, SC - Coordinates: 32.820556, -79.805 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8206&lon=-79.8050&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74833 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09LA544 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74833/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74833 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA544 ## Probable cause The gyroplane's inadequate climb performance for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Celier XENON RST GYROPLANE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=05904R0), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Celier XENON RST GYROPLANE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05904R0), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Ditching](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441); cases with it: [Celier XENON RST GYROPLANE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md?model=05904R0), [All aircraft, 186 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the gyroplane took off about 1,200 feet from the departure end of runway 15 and experienced a "loss of lift" when it was approximately 30 feet above the ground. The pilot "lowered the nose to increase airspeed to increase lift," but the gyroplane continued to descend. With no runway available, the gyroplane landed "flat" into a lake, and after exiting the pilot and passenger swam to shore. No preaccident mechanical anomalies were noted with the gyroplane, which was about 90 pounds below maximum gross weight at takeoff. Winds were from 190 degrees true at 5 knots, and temperature at the time was 32 degrees C. The extent to which the combination of high gross weight and high ambient temperature may have affected the flight was not determined. ## Factual narrative On September 25, 2009, about 1330 eastern daylight time, an experimental light sport Celier Aviation Xenon RST Gyroplane, N4462J, registered to SRJ Aviation LLC, forced landed in a lake shortly after takeoff from Raven’s Run Airport (SC65), Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the local 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 flight. The gyroplane was substantially damaged, and the private certificated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The pilot stated that he performed a preflight inspection of the gyroplane, taking the time to show the passenger, a potential purchaser, what he was inspecting and why it was important. He allowed the engine to warm up, then taxied it to the runway and performed an engine run-up. No discrepancies were noted. He then taxied it onto the runway for an intended flight to remain in the traffic pattern. He taxied to the approach end of runway 15 and completed the normal pre-rotation of the main rotor and began the takeoff roll. Approximately 1,200 feet before the departure end of the runway he began a normal liftoff. When the flight was approximately 30 feet above ground level (agl), which was also just above the height of the tree tops, the pilot “…noticed a loss of lift….” He "lowered the nose to increase airspeed to increase lift," but the gyroplane continued to descend. With no runway available, the pilot “ended up landing flat into the water.” He and his passenger exited the gyroplane and swam to shore. The passenger stated that the accident flight was his first in the gyroplane, which had dual flight controls installed. The pilot performed a preflight inspection of the gyroplane to include pointing items out to him. The fuel tanks were checked for water by opening of a drain valve and letting approximately 1 cc of fuel drain onto the ground. The pilot asked him if he saw any bubbles in the drained automotive fuel, and he told the pilot he didn't see any, but really wasn't looking for them. Following the preflight inspection, the passenger sat in the right seat and donned the seatbelt and shoulder harness. The pilot locked the door, and turned on the pre-rotator, then engaged the propeller. The pilot initiated the takeoff and the gyroplane climbed above trees and houses then reportedly, “dropped like a rock into a pond.” The gyroplane came to rest upright, and both evacuated and swam to shore. Immediately following the accident, the pilot stated that the, "…aircraft was not climbing as he expected." The passenger was asked if he heard a change in the engine sound and he said he did not perceive a change. Following recovery of the gyroplane, it was transported to a location in another state. According to the individual who had possession of the gyroplane and who was formerly the U.S. distributor, water was flushed from the fuel system and engine. The impact-damaged propeller was removed and replaced, and the engine wasstarted and operated to 5,800 rpm (full static red line). No engine anomalies were noted during the engine run. According to the pilot, the gyroplane was about 90 pounds under maximum gross weight. Calculations indicated that the gyroplane was within weight and balance at the time of the accident. The performance section of the gyroplane's flight manual revealed that, on a standard day, takeoff distance was 190 feet, and takeoff distance over a 50 foot obstacle was 377 feet. The flight manual did not have figures for other than standard conditions. Surface observations recorded at Charleston Air Force Base/ International Airport (CHS), Chareleston, South Carolina, about 12 miles to the west, at 1356, included winds from 190 degrees true at 5 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, and scattered clouds at 3,000 feet. The temperature and dew point were 32 and 21 degrees Celsius, respectively, and the altimeter setting was 30.05 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4462J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4462J), registered now, S/N CAK03971S, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CELIER AVIATION XENON RST - Registry model: [Celier XENON RST GYROPLANE](https://openairdocs.org/model/celier-xenon-rst-gyroplane) (registry code 05904R0) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912-series) (registry code 55569, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane - Serial number: CAK03971S - Airframe hours: 81 - Engines: ROTAX 912T 122 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 16, 2009 - Departed: SC65, Mount Pleasant, SC - Destination: SC65, Mount Pleasant, SC - Airport: SC65, Raven's Run Airport, runway 15, 2,400 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private, sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 26, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 1,486 total, 57 in this make and model, 1,388 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: CHS, 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 20090925050159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090925050159A), Sep 25, 2009: Celier Avia XENON RST G, Mount Pleasant, SC, Substantial damage. The pilot departed from falcon run airport, a 2400 ft private grass strip in mt. Pleasant, SC. The pilot rotated at about 1200 ft down the runway. At the end… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 27, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74833. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 602 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320424&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320426&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Record of NTSB Conversations (item 3, .PDF, 149 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331612&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20NTSB%20Conversations-Redacted.PDF - Excerpts From the Gyroplane Flight Manual. (item 4, .PDF, 683 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331976&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20From%20the%20Gyroplane%20Flight%20Manual.-Redacted.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.