- Date
- March 12, 2017, 13:58 local (17:58 UTC)
- Place
- Mount Airy, NC
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N7195RKerns Kenneth H Kens Wingless Wonder
- Defining event
- Takeoff: Flight control sys malf/fail
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report September 7, 2017
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties
- FAA/FSDO
- FAA report
- 20170312005859A
- Case key
- 94863
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot’s improper adjustment of the prerotator motor, which resulted in its failure to disengage and the subsequent loss of aircraft control during takeoff.
Findings · 3
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The pilot, who was also the owner of the of amateur-built gyroplane, stated that he adjusted the prerotator motor pressure plate before the flight by moving it closer to the clutch to improve rpm. During takeoff, the gyroplane rolled right, and he was unable to maintain control. The gyroplane subsequently impacted the ground and cartwheeled, which resulted in substantial damage to the rotor, mast, and cabin. The pilot further stated that, due to his adjustment, it was likely that the prerotator did not disengage, which resulted in increased right torque and the inability to control the gyroplane during takeoff.
Factual narrative
The pilot, who was also the owner of the of amateur-built gyroplane stated he adjusted the prerotator motor pressure plate prior to the flight by moving it closer to the clutch to improve rpm. During takeoff, the gyroplane rolled right and he was unable to maintain control. The gyroplane subsequently impacted the ground and cartwheeled, which resulted in substantial damage to the rotor, mast, and cabin. He further stated that due to his adjustment, it was likely that the prerotator did not disengage, resulting in increased right torque and the inability to control the gyroplane during takeoff.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N7195R
- Reported as
- Kerns Kenneth H Kens Wingless Wonder (NO SERIES)
- Category
- Gyroplane
- Serial number
- 290163188-1
- Engine
- Subaru 2.5, 165 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Last inspection
- Condition · March 12, 2017
- Departed
- MWK · Mount Airy, SC
- Destination
- MWK · Mount Airy, SC
- Airport
- MWK · Mount Airy/Surry County, runway 36, 4,301 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment
- Unknown
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 54
- Injuries
- Minor
- Certificate
- Private
- Medical
- Class 3, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- September 16, 2010
- Seat
- Left
- Restraint
- 3-point
- Flight hours
- 520 total · 24.2 in this make and model · 520 as pilot in command · 50 in the last 90 days · 25 in the last 30 days · 0 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 43 °F, dew point 1 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.31 inHg
- Observed at
- KMWK
Docket · 2
The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 15, 2017, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 2.0 MB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.