# NTSB ERA20LA076: Magni M-24 Plus, N327JD, Nashua, NH, January 15, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 15, 2020, 14:50 local (19:50 UTC) - Place: Nashua, NH - Coordinates: 42.782775, -71.516944 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7828&lon=-71.5169&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Medical event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/850) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 100819 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20LA076 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100819/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100819 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA076 ## Probable cause The pilot's incapacitation during the takeoff roll due to a stroke. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Impairment/incapacitation: neurological](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012045): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [James A Debruycker MAGNI M-24 PLUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012045/cases.md?model=05638UR), [All aircraft, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [James A Debruycker MAGNI M-24 PLUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05638UR), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Medical event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/850) (defining event); cases with it: [James A Debruycker MAGNI M-24 PLUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/850/sequence.md?model=05638UR), [All aircraft, 63 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/850/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to a witness, the gyroplane used more runway than typical to become airborne before it began to drift toward the left edge of the runway. About halfway down the runway, the gyroplane departed the runway, bounced over a taxiway, porpoised, and came to rest inverted. The witness stated that he saw no indication that the pilot had attempted to slow down or correct the left deviation from centerline. After the accident, a medical evaluation identified that the pilot had experienced a cerebral infarction (stroke). Symptoms often develop suddenly and can include numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg; confusion; difficulty speaking; trouble seeing; severe headache; and loss of coordination. It is likely that the pilot was incapacitated by the stroke during the takeoff roll. ## Factual narrative On January 15, 2020, about 1450 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Magni M-24 Plus gyroplane, N327JD, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Nashua, New Hampshire. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The gyroplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he had no recollection of the flight after he received his takeoff clearance. According to a witness, the gyroplane was using more runway than typical to become airborne before it began to drift toward the left edge of runway 32. About 3,000 ft down the runway, the left main gear departed the runway. The witness stated that he saw nothing to indicate that the pilot was attempting to slow down or correct the left deviation from centerline. He stated that the gyroplane was completely on the grass about 750 ft prior to taxiway C. The gyroplane "popped up and bounced over taxiway Charlie, landed once on the other side, bounced, porpoised and nosed-in on the second impact." The gyroplane came to rest inverted about 340 ft to the left of the runway edge, about 3,400 ft down the 6,000-ft-long runway. The front of the gyroplane was impact-crushed aft and the fuselage was fractured in multiple areas. According to Federal Aviation Administration airman records, the 69-year-old pilot held a sport pilot certificate with an endorsement for gyroplane. He had applied for BasicMed on November 18, 2018. The pilot reported taking medications for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, gastric reflux, an enlarged prostate (alfuzosin), and allergies. He had diabetes controlled by diet and exercise. The pilot received immunosuppressive drug infusions for his ankylosing spondylitis. Postaccident hospital records revealed that the pilot had experienced a cerebral infarction. A cerebral infarction or cerebrovascular accident, commonly referred to as a stroke, happens when there is a loss of blood flow to part of the brain. This more commonly happens when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel but can also happen from a broken blood vessel. Without blood flow to provide oxygen and nutrients, the brain cells die which can cause brain damage or even death. People develop symptoms based on which area of the brain is deprived of blood flow. Symptoms often develop suddenly and can include numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg; confusion; difficulty speaking; trouble seeing; severe headache; and loss of coordination. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N327JD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N327JD-2021-03-02), registration cancelled 2021-03-02, S/N 24192176, built 2019 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAGNI M-24 PLUS - Registry model: [James A Debruycker MAGNI M-24 PLUS](https://openairdocs.org/model/james-a-debruycker-magni-m-24-plus) (registry code 05638UR) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 915 IS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-915-is-series) (registry code 55620, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 24192176 - Year built: 2019 - Airframe hours: 1.6 - Engines: Rotax 915iS3A 141 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 16, 2019 - Departed: ASH, Nashua, NH - Destination: ASH, Nashua, NH - Airport: ASH, Boire Field, runway 32, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: serious; sport pilot; medical: basicmed; last flight review June 7, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 150 total, 9 in this make and model, 39 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: ASH ## 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 20200115020159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200115020159A), Jan 15, 2020: James A Debruycker MAGNI M-24 PLUS, Nashua, NH, Substantial damage. On January 15th at approximately 14:45 2020 the pilot of a amateur built aircraft magni M-24 plus, N327JD at Nashua new hampshire Boire Field (kash) was… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 16, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100819. 7.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11918705&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA20LA076%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 167 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11917870&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20Pilot-Rel.pdf - Witness statements (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 195 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11918725&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 4, PDF, 5 pages, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11919082&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - NTSB medical factual report (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 234 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11918715&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA20LA076_Nashua_NH_Medical_Factual_FINAL_020321-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.