# NTSB FTW00LA045: Cartercopters Cartercopter, N121CC, Olney, TX, December 16, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 16, 1999, 10:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Olney, TX - Coordinates: 33.359943, -98.74971 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3599&lon=-98.7497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 6, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48521 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48521/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA045 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm during takeoff, which resulted in a hard landing following the aborted takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis For the first test flight of the day, the gyroplane's rotor was pre-rotated to 450 rpm, instead of the normal 550 rpm. As the takeoff was initiated, the collective was raised in a 'normal' manner and liftoff was accomplished. According to the pilot, 'within a few seconds into the climb, the control forces began to build, and stick shake began.' The pilot had to use both hands to apply forward cyclic pressure to 'counter' the nose pitching up. The pilot stated that he momentarily removed one hand from the cyclic to reduce power [collective]. At this time, the nose pitched up and power was reapplied to cushion the touchdown. The pilot reported that, 'application of power was not smooth and resulted in a hard landing, causing the blades to hit the rudders.' The pilot reported that after reviewing the flight data, it 'became apparent that had the collective been lowered shortly after liftoff, the rotor RPM would not have dissipated so rapidly, causing the high control forces and blade flapping.' ## Factual narrative On December 16, 1999, at 1045 central standard time, a Cartercopters Cartercopter experimental prototype gyroplane, N121CC, registered to and operated by Cartercopters LLC of Wichita Falls, Texas, was substantially damaged during a hard landing following an aborted takeoff at the Olney Municipal Airport near Olney, Texas. The airline transport pilot and crewmember were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 test flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. For the first test flight of the day, the prototype gyroplane's rotor was pre-rotated to 450 rpm, instead of the normal 550 rpm. As the takeoff was initiated on runway 22, the collective was raised in a "normal" manner and liftoff was accomplished within 100 feet. "Within a few seconds into the climb, the control forces began to build, and stick shake began." The pilot had to use both hands to apply forward cyclic pressure to "counter" the nose pitching up. From this point, "control was almost lost," and required continued use of both hands on the cyclic. The pilot stated that he momentarily removed one hand from the cyclic to reduce power [collective]. At this time, the nose pitched up and power was reapplied to cushion the touchdown. "Application of power was not smooth and resulted in a hard landing, causing the blades to hit the rudders." The pilot reported that after reviewing the flight data, it "became apparent that had the collective been lowered shortly after liftoff, the rotor RPM would not have dissipated so rapidly, causing the high control forces and blade flapping." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N121CC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N121CC), registered now, S/N 001, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cartercopters CARTERCOPTER (CARTERCOPT) - Registry model: [Cartercopters CARTERCOPTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/cartercopters-cartercopter) (registry code 05606CO) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1 - Airframe hours: 45 - Engines: GM LSI CORVETTE 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Cartercopters LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Unknown, December 16, 1999, 0 hours before - Departed: ONY - Airport: ONY, Olney Municipal, runway 22L, 5,098 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; flight engineer, airline transport, flight instructor, military; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 30,000 total, 20 in this make and model, 20,000 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 7 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19991216036969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991216036969A), Dec 16, 1999: Olney, TX, Substantial damage. (.19) On December 16, 1999, at 1045 central standard time, a cartercopters cartercopter gyroplane, N121CC, registered to and operated by cartercopters LLC of… ## Other investigations on N121CC (5) 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. - [NTSB DFW05CA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA163), Jun 17, 2005: CarterCopter CarterCopter (N121CC), Olney, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inability to maintain control of the gyrocraft during a forced landing as a result of a loss of cyclic and collective control. Contributing factors were the sheared propeller drive pulley… - [NTSB FTW03LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA125), Apr 8, 2003: CarterCopter Prototype (N121CC), Olney, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear. A factor was his diverted attention. - [NTSB FTW01LA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA108), Apr 29, 2001: Cartercopters Cartercopter (N121CC), Olney, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff initial climb. Contributory factors were the pilot's lack of experience with the aircraft and the soft terrain. - [NTSB FTW01LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA086), Mar 25, 2001: Cartercopters Cartercopter (N121CC), Olney, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm, which resuted in the main rotor contacting the tail during landing. - [NTSB FTW01LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA040), Dec 13, 2000: Cartercopter Model 1 (N121CC), Olney, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's delay in lowering the collective during a run-on landing, which resulted in a runway overrun. A factor was the muddy terrain. 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.