# NTSB ERA23LA072: Daniel Anthony Proctor M24 Orion Plus, N728RJ, Suches, GA, November 26, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 26, 2022, 11:26, time zone not recorded - Place: Suches, GA - Coordinates: 34.698131, -84.011144 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6981&lon=-84.0111&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 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): 106372 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA072 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106372/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106372 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA072 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to take off from the runway midpoint with a tailwind, which resulted in impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Daniel Anthony Proctor M24 ORION PLUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0564060), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Daniel Anthony Proctor M24 ORION PLUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=0564060), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Daniel Anthony Proctor M24 ORION PLUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=0564060), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Daniel Anthony Proctor M24 ORION PLUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=0564060), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Daniel Anthony Proctor M24 ORION PLUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=0564060), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Daniel Anthony Proctor M24 ORION PLUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0564060), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The gyroplane pilot reported that he initiated his takeoff midway down the runway with a tailwind. After takeoff, the angle of climb was shallower than expected and the pilot determined that he may not clear the trees beyond the runway’s departure end. He attempted to turn back toward the runway; however, the gyroplane had insufficient altitude and impacted the brush. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and tail section and the passenger was seriously injured. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation and that he gave up safety margin unnecessarily. He stated that he should have performed a full-length departure into the wind. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N728RJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N728RJ), registered now, S/N 24223826, built 2022 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DANIEL ANTHONY PROCTOR M24 ORION PLUS - Registry model: [Daniel Anthony Proctor M24 ORION PLUS](https://openairdocs.org/model/daniel-anthony-proctor-m24-orion-plus) (registry code 0564060) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 915 IS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-915-is-series) (registry code 55620, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 24223826 - Year built: 2022 - Airframe hours: 127.9 - Engines: Rotax 915i 141 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 7, 2022, 125 hours before - Departed: CNI, Canton, GA - Destination: DZJ, Blairsville, GA - Airport: GA87, High Valley Airpark, runway 2, 2,000 × 60 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, waiver time limited special; last flight review October 7, 2022; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 3,416 total, 137 in this make and model, 3,310 as pilot in command, 137 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: DZJ, 9 nm away - METAR: METAR KDZJ 261615Z AUTO 10008KT 10SM CLR 17/05 A3017 RMK AO2 T01690053= ## 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 20221126022559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221126022559A), Nov 26, 2022: Daniel Anthony Proctor M24 ORION PLUS, Suches, GA, Substantial damage. The pilot made a downwind, mid-field departure at High Valley Airpark (GA87) Suches, GA. During climb out the pilot noticed the angle of climb was more shallow… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 7, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106372. 14.7 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=15550002&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20revised_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14890747&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 391 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14891620&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Witness video (item 4, MOV, 11.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14890737&FileExtension=mov&FileName=N728RJ%20Witness%20Jim%20Daniel%20Video%201-Rel.mov - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 304 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14896895&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Release_Redacted-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.