# NTSB ERA18LA027: Homer Autogyro Cavalon, N470CH, Oak Island, NC, November 17, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 17, 2017, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Oak Island, NC - Coordinates: 33.926944, -78.07833 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9269&lon=-78.0783&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 96349 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA18LA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96349/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96349 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA027 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause) ## Analysis The pilot and flight instructor were conducting a flight review in the pilot’s experimental gyroplane. Both reported that the engine start, run up, and takeoff were normal. About 100 ft above ground level, they increased throttle to full power, which engaged the turbocharger. Immediately after, there was a rapid loss of engine power from 5,000 rpm to 3,000 rpm, and they were unable to maintain flight. The flight instructor took control of the aircraft and made a 180° turn back toward the runway but was unable to reach the runway at the completion of the turn. The aircraft landed hard in the grass, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and disposed of; therefore, no additional examination of the engine was conducted, and the reason for the loss of power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On November 17, 2017, about 1000 eastern standard time, an experimental, amateur-built Autogyro Cavalon, N470CH, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Oak Island, North Carolina. The private pilot and flight instructor were not injured. The flight was conducted as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The pilot, who was also the owner of the aircraft, reported that he was receiving instruction for his flight review. The engine run-up and takeoff to the southwest were normal, but while climbing through 100 ft above ground level, shortly after applying full power, which engaged the turbocharger, there was a rapid loss of engine power from 5,000 rpm to 3,000 rpm, and they were unable to maintain flight. The flight instructor took control of the aircraft and made a 180° turn back toward runway 5. Immediately after completing the turn, the aircraft landed hard in the grassy area west of the runway and rolled to a stop. Examination by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the fuselage was cracked in multiple locations, and the center throttle console was buckled, which revealed substantial internal damage to the airframe. Subsequent follow-up with the pilot revealed that the gyrocopter was damaged beyond repair and disposed of with no additional troubleshooting or examination of the engine or turbocharger conducted. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N470CH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N470CH-2021-01-30), registration cancelled 2021-01-30, S/N V00015, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HOMER AUTOGYRO CAVALON (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Donald L Homer AUTOGYRO CAVALON](https://openairdocs.org/model/donald-l-homer-autogyro-cavalon) (registry code 05631VB) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 914 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914-series) (registry code 55575, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: V00015 - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 217 - Engines: Rotax 914UL 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: AIC Recycling LLC - Registered owner: AIC Recycling LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 4, 2017, 1 hours before - Departed: SUT, Oak Island, NC - Destination: SUT, Oak Island, NC - Airport: SUT, Cape Fear Rgnl Jetport/Howie F, runway 23, 5,505 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 25, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 535 total, 218 in this make and model - Flight instructor; age 54; injuries: none; private, sport pilot, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 330 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: ILM, 22 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 20171117018839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171117018839A), Nov 17, 2017: Donald L Homer AUTOGYRO CAVALON, Oak Island, NC, Substantial damage. The intended flight was for currency and a flight review at ksut. The pilot under instruction (piu) was on the controls for the normal runup, and takeoff.… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 15, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96349. 8.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 8 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12205433&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilots%206120%20Accident%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot & flight instructor statements (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12204796&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Statements%20from%20Pilot%20and%20Instructor_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation_instructor and pilot (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 132 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12273313&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20Instructor%20and%20Pilot-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records excerpt (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12206221&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20Excerpt_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array_ damage (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12206410&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Site%20and%20Damage%20Photographs-Rel.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.