# NTSB ERA18TA142: Barry Maggio Apollo AG-1, N141C, Smith Beach, VA, May 6, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report - Date: May 6, 2018, 15:10 local (19:10 UTC) - Place: Smith Beach, VA - Coordinates: 37.362777, -75.990837 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3628&lon=-75.9908&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 97180 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA18TA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97180/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97180 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18TA142 ## Probable cause The noninstrument-rated pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight weather planning, which resulted in an off-airport precautionary landing to avoid weather and a subsequent collision with power lines. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: weather planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Barry Maggio APOLLO AG-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020/cases.md?model=05634CG), [All aircraft, 156 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Barry Maggio APOLLO AG-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05634CG), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Barry Maggio APOLLO AG-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=05634CG), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) (defining event); cases with it: [Barry Maggio APOLLO AG-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=05634CG), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Barry Maggio APOLLO AG-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05634CG), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Approach: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Barry Maggio APOLLO AG-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05634CG), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The noninstrument-rated private pilot of the experimental, amateur-built gyroplane reported that, during a cross-country, personal flight, as the flight neared the destination airport, the cloud ceiling began to lower very rapidly. He then decided to land at a private airstrip before the destination airport. He mistook a road for the private airstrip, and during the attempted landing, the gyroplane collided with power lines and sustained substantial fuselage damage. Examination of the gyroplane did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation nor did the pilot report any. The recorded weather at the destination airport included visibility of 1 3/4 miles in mist and overcast ceiling at 500 ft. The pilot used weather equipment onboard his gyroplane, but he did not receive a preflight weather briefing from flight service. It is likely that the pilot's failure to get a preflight weather briefing and his inadequate use of his onboard weather equipment led to his subsequent decision to conduct an off-airport landing and the subsequent collision with power lines. ## Factual narrative On May 6, 2018, about 1510 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Apollo AG-1 gyroplane, N141C, was substantially damaged when it collided with power lines during a precautionary landing near Smith Beach, Virginia. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. The gyroplane was operated by the private pilot as personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Halifax-Northampton Regional Airport (IXA), Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, about 1330. The flight was destined to Accomack County Airport (MFV), Melfa, Virginia.The pilot reported that he started to fly across the Chesapeake Bay to the Cape Charles VOR at 1,300 ft above ground level. As the airplane approached the shoreline at the Cape Charles VOR, the pilot turned north toward MFV. At that time, the cloud ceiling began to lower very rapidly, so he made the decision to land at a private airstrip prior to MFV. He mistook a road for the private airstrip and the gyroplane collided with power lines during the attempted landing. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the gyroplane. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that it was intact and resting on its right side on a road. The inspector noted that the fuselage sustained substantial damage. He did not observe any anomalies with the flight controls and was able to successfully test-run the engine on the airframe. The recorded weather at MVF, at 1515, was: wind from 170° at 4 knots; visibility 1 3/4 miles in mist; overcast ceiling at 500 ft; temperature 18° C; dew point 17° C; altimeter 29.85 inches of mercury. The pilot also reported that he utilized weather equipment onboard his gyroplane, but did not receive a weather briefing from flight service. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N141C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N141C), registered now, S/N 0002, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BARRY MAGGIO APOLLO AG-1 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Barry Maggio APOLLO AG-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/barry-maggio-apollo-ag-1) (registry code 05634CG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 914ULS](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914uls) (registry code 55552, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0002 - Year built: 2015 - Airframe hours: 464 - Engines: Rotax 914ULS 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 3, 2018, 25 hours before - Departed: IXA, Roanoke Rapids, NC - Destination: MFV, Melfa, VA - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS, Onboard weather, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; private, sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review February 6, 2018; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,700 total, 475 in this make and model, 1,700 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 4 knots - Visibility: 1.75 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: MFV, 15 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 20180506004809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180506004809A), May 6, 2018: Experimental APOLLO AG1, Smith Beach, VA, Substantial damage. Aircraft hit power lines on approach to a road after crossing the chesapeake bay. Aircraft came to rest on its side. Approximately 20 ft of powerline cable was… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 2, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97180. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471541&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471542&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 3, .PDF, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471543&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 4, .PDF, 2 photos, 537 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471544&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.