# NTSB ERA10CA270: Healy RAF 2000, N397MK, Hopkinsville, KY, May 17, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 17, 2010, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Hopkinsville, KY - Coordinates: 36.854167, -87.453056 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8542&lon=-87.4531&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76041 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA270 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76041/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76041 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA270 ## Probable cause The pilot’s overcompensation for gusting wind conditions during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a loss of control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Healy Matthew RAF 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05629L4), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Healy Matthew RAF 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05629L4), [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. - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Healy Matthew RAF 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05629L4), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Healy Matthew RAF 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05629L4), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was taking off from runway 26 on the second of two gyroplane test flights following tracking adjustments to the main rotor blades. The first test flight was uneventful. During the takeoff roll on the second test flight, a gust of wind raised the gyroplane’s left wheel off the ground. With the rotors not yet up to speed, the pilot corrected with right cyclic to “force the wheel down,” and left pedal to “maintain straight ground track.” However, he “added too much pedal and [the gyroplane began] to swerve erratically on the runway.” The pilot cut engine power, but then the gyroplane encountered a second gust of wind, which resulted in another roll. The advancing main rotor blade struck the ground, “catapulting” the gyroplane off the runway. The gyroplane came to rest on its left side facing opposite the direction of travel, and the pilot sustained serious injuries. The gyroplane’s main rotor blades and empennage were substantially damaged. No mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported by the pilot. The pilot reported winds from 290 degrees true at 7 knots, gusting to 14 knots. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he was taking off from runway 26 on the second of two gyroplane test flights, following tracking adjustments to the main rotor blades. The first test flight was uneventful. During the takeoff roll on the second test flight, a gust of wind raised the gyroplane’s left wheel off the ground. With the rotors not yet up to speed, the pilot corrected with right cyclic to “force the wheel down,” and left pedal to “maintain straight ground track.” However, he “added too much pedal and [the gyroplane began] to swerve erratically on the runway.” The pilot cut engine power, but then the gyroplane encountered a second gust of wind, which resulted in another roll. The advancing main rotor blade struck the ground, “catapulting” the gyroplane off the runway. The gyroplane came to rest on its left side facing opposite the direction of travel, and the pilot sustained serious injuries. The gyroplane’s main rotor blades and empennage were substantially damaged. No mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported by the pilot. The pilot reported winds from 290 degrees true, at 7, gusting to 14 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N397MK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N397MK), registered now, S/N 13108, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Healy RAF 2000 - Registry model: [Healy Matthew RAF 2000](https://openairdocs.org/model/healy-matthew-raf-2000) (registry code 05629L4) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Subaru ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 59050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 13108 - Airframe hours: 45 - Engines: Subaru EJ 25 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Matthew J Healy - Registered owner: Matthew J Healy - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 30, 2010 - Departed: HVC, Hopkinsville, KY - Destination: HVC, Hopkinsville, KY - Airport: HVC, Hopkinsville-Christian County, runway 26, 5,505 × 100 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: serious; commercial, military; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 14, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 1,100 total, 25 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 7 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: HVC ## 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 20100517034179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100517034179A), May 17, 2010: Healy Matth RAF 2000, Hopkinsville, KY, Substantial damage. On 5/17/2010 at 2200Z, at Hopkinsville, KY (hvk), N397MK, an experimental amateur built gyrocopter was taking off on runway 26. During the take off roll,… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 21, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76041. 963 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 615 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331079&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Interview Statement (item 2, .PDF, 36 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331380&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Statement-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 20 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331379&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo: Front view of the accident gyrocopter where it came to rest. (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 291 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331312&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20Front%20view%20of%20the%20accident%20gyrocopter%20where%20it%20came%20to%20rest.%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.