# NTSB ERA22LA419: Autogyro USA Calidus, N451AG, Jasper, GA, September 11, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 11, 2022, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Jasper, GA - Coordinates: 34.454656, -84.45803 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4547&lon=-84.4580&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 105943 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA419 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105943/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105943 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA419 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the gyroplane during a touch-and-go landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he finished training and received a logbook endorsement to fly the gyroplane five days before the accident. The purpose of the accident flight was to practice touch-and-go landings. The first two were uneventful, but during the third touch-and-go, he applied power to take off again and the gyroplane rolled to the left. The pilot overcorrected and rolled the gyroplane right, resulting in the main rotor blades contacting the ground. The gyroplane slid on the runway to a stop on its right side resulting in substantial damage to main rotor blades and tail section. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: N451AG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: AUTOGYRO USA LLC CALIDUS - Category: Gyroplane - Serial number: US-C00428 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 41.3 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 2022 - Airport: JZP, Pickens County, runway 16, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 5, 2022; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,464 total, 3 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KGVL, 33 nm away - METAR: KGVL 111734Z AUTO 17003KT 10SM SCT020 SCT027 26/21 A3013 RMK AO2 T02560206 ## 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 20220911022659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220911022659A), Sep 11, 2022: Autogyro USA LLC CALIDUS, Jasper, GA, Substantial damage. During practice of touch-n-goes, on take-off the pilot overcorrected for a left roll causing the aircraft to roll right FAR enough to make the rotor contact… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 11, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105943. 4.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14559619&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14559005&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview-pilot-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14559380&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos-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.