# NTSB ERA12CA124: Chapel Robert B Aerial, N435AB, Simsbury, CT, December 26, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 26, 2011, 13:05 local (18:05 UTC) - Place: Simsbury, CT - Coordinates: 41.909721, -72.772781 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9097&lon=-72.7728&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 27, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82566 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA124 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82566/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82566 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA124 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to operate the gyroplane outside his endorsement limitations and to depart with a tailwind, which resulted in a forced landing to unsuitable terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Chapel Robert B AERIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=05630LT), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Chapel Robert B AERIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=05630LT), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Main rotor system: main rotor blade system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046210): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Chapel Robert B AERIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046210/cases.md?model=05630LT), [All aircraft, 60 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046210/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Chapel Robert B AERIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05630LT), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Chapel Robert B AERIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05630LT), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Chapel Robert B AERIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05630LT), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During run-up, high-speed taxi, and pre-spin of the rotor, the pilot/owner noted no anomalies with the recently certificated experimental amateur-built gyroplane. Although the pilot/owner was not rated in rotorcraft, he had a student endorsement that limited his flights to in-ground-effect only and with no more than 10 knots of wind. The pilot chose to perform a normal takeoff with a 14-knot tailwind that gusted to 24 knots. At 200 feet above the runway, the pilot determined that the rotor rpm was decaying and that the gyroplane would not climb due to the tailwind. He performed a forced landing off the departure end of the runway, and the gyroplane came to rest on its side, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot/owner reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the gyroplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot/owner was practicing takeoffs and landings in the recently certificated experimental amateur-built gyrocopter at the time of the accident. During run-up, high-speed taxi, and pre-spin of the rotor, the pilot noted no anomalies. While the pilot/owner was not rated in rotorcraft, he did have a student endorsement that limited his flights to in-ground-effect only, and no more than 10 knots of wind. The pilot chose to perform a normal takeoff with a 14-knot tailwind that gusted to 24 knots. At 200 feet above the runway, the pilot determined that the rotor rpm was decaying and the gyrocopter would not climb due to the tailwind. He performed a forced landing off the departure end of the runway, and the gyrocopter came to rest on its side which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot/owner reported to the FAA that there were no mechanical deficiencies with his gyrocopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N435AB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N435AB-2017-09-18), registration cancelled 2017-09-18, S/N EX111, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHAPEL ROBERT B AERIAL - Registry model: [Chapel Robert B AERIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/chapel-robert-b-aerial) (registry code 05630LT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Subaru ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 59050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: EX111 - Engines: SUBARU ALL MDLS A/B reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Chapel Robert B - Registered owner: Chapel Robert B - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 18, 2011 - Departed: 4B9, Simsbury, CT - Destination: 4B9, Simsbury, CT - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 4B9, Simsbury Airport, runway 21, 2,205 × 50 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: center; flight hours: 1,000 total, 3 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 14 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: BDL, 4 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 20111226028919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111226028919A), Dec 26, 2011: Chapel Robert B AERIAL, Simsbury, CT, Substantial damage. Pilot did not receive complete weather briefing per 91.103PILOT did not operate under 91 as a sport pilot-no current flight review,no current medicalpilot was… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 30, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82566. 11.1 MB in all. - Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 192 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361296&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Memorandum) (item 2, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361274&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(Memorandum)-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 7.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361236&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: View of Wreckage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361237&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20View%20of%20Wreckage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement of No Aircraft Anomalies (item 5, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361273&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20of%20No%20Aircraft%20Anomalies-Redacted.PDF - BDL Weather Observations (item 6, .PDF, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361294&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=BDL%20Weather%20Observations-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.