# NTSB ERA24LA153: Denzil Velarde MTO Sport, N291AG, Tavernier, FL, March 24, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 24, 2024, 14:10 local (18:10 UTC) - Place: Tavernier, FL · Private Airstrip; Tavernaero Park - Coordinates: 25.00449, -80.53557 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.0045&lon=-80.5356&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193983 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193983/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193983 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA153 ## Probable cause The gyroplane’s encounter with a tailwind during the initial climb, which resulted in a loss of airspeed and subsequent forced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Denzil Velarde MTO SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=056354M), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Denzil Velarde MTO SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=056354M), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Denzil Velarde MTO SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=056354M), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Denzil Velarde MTO SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=056354M), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Denzil Velarde MTO SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=056354M), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The gyroplane was unable to maintain sufficient airspeed and altitude after takeoff, so the pilot attempted to “land like a helicopter” on a side road. While maneuvering to land, the wind blew the gyroplane backward and the tail section impacted a concrete fence. The gyroplane came to rest on its side and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported the winds were variable at 10 knots. Postaccident examination of the engine and airframe did not reveal evidence of any mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Although the calculated relative humidity showed the possibility of carburetor icing at low power setting, the pilot had only operated the gyroplane for about six minutes before taking off, which likely was not a sufficient amount of time for carburetor icing to form. It is likely that shifting winds resulted in a tailwind during the takeoff, and the gyroplane did not have sufficient airspeed at liftoff to maintain flight. ## Factual narrative On March 24, 2024, about 1410 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built MTO Sport gryoplane, N291AG, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Tavernier, Florida. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The gyroplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that he performed an engine run-up with no anomalies at Tavernaero Park Airport (FA81), Tavernier, Florida. About six minutes after engine start up, shortly after takeoff, the pilot noted that the gyroplane was unable to maintain sufficient airspeed and altitude. With little runway remaining, the pilot turned the gyroplane left to “land like a helicopter” on a side road; however, the wind blew the gyroplane backward and the tail section impacted a concrete wall. The gyroplane flipped onto its side and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. The pilot initially reported to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that there were no issues with the engine power and stated that he just did not have enough airspeed at liftoff and the wind might have shifted to a tail wind. Subsequently, the pilot stated that he believed that engine stopped producing power shortly after takeoff. The airframe and engine were examined after the accident and the throttle and choke control were continuous from the cockpit to both carburetors. The airframe fuel system remained intact, and no loose or broken fuel lines were observed. Fuel recovered from both carburetor bowls was consistent with automotive gasoline with no water or debris contamination observed. The electrically driven fuel pumps operated normally. Compression and suction were achieved on all cylinders, and borescope examination of the cylinders revealed no anomalies. The examination of the engine and airframe did not reveal evidence of any mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. At 1353, the weather reported at The Florida Keys Marathon International Airport (MTH), Marathon, Florida, about 33 nautical miles west of the accident site, included a temperature of 75.2°F and a dew point of 62.6°F. The calculated relative humidity at this temperature and dewpoint was about 65%. The pilot reported the local wind was variable at 10 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N291AG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N291AG), registered now, S/N M01280, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DENZIL VELARDE MTO SPORT - Registry model: [Denzil Velarde MTO SPORT](https://openairdocs.org/model/denzil-velarde-mto-sport) (registry code 056354M) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 914UL](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914ul) (registry code 55553, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: M01280 - Year built: 2017 - Airframe hours: 520 - Engines: Rotax 914UL 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: N291ag Co - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 13, 2024, 478 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: FA81, Tavernaero Park, runway 26, 2,175 × 95 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; injuries: minor; sport pilot; medical: sport pilot; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,200 total, 725 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: MTH, 33 nm away - METAR: KMTH 241753Z AUTO VRB04KT 10SM CLR 24/17 A2987 RMK AO2 SLP114 T02440172 10244 20211 58005 $ ## 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 20240324004059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240324004059A), Mar 24, 2024: Denzil Velarde MTO SPORT, Tavernier, FL, Destroyed. Part 91 experimental operating amateur built aircraft registration [privacy data omitted], serial number M01280 with one pilot and one passenger on board… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 2, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193983. 7.7 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=17041141&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA24LA153%20Signed%206120%20Redacted_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17039839&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA24LA153%20ROC%20Schalkoort_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector's statement (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 618 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17041113&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Inspector%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Carburetor icing probability chart (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 325 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17039378&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA24LA153%20Carburetor%20Icing%20Probability%20Chart-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 5, PDF, 6 pages, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17040151&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA24LA153%20Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Airframe and engine examination (item 6, PDF, 7 pages, 919 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17041123&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA24LA153%20Wreckage%20Examination%20Report-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 806 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17040440&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA24LA153%20Signed%20Wreckage%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.