# NTSB FTW01LA040: Cartercopter Model 1, N121CC, Olney, TX, December 13, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 13, 2000, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Olney, TX - Coordinates: 33.360137, -98.749107 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3601&lon=-98.7491&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 19, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50821 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50821/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA040 ## 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. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, landing - roll - run on landing - performed, pilot in command - lowering of collective - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - Roll over, landing - roll - terrain condition - muddy (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot was performing a short test flight in an experimental prototype gyroplane. After a low level, low airspeed flight down runway centerline, the pilot executed a run-on landing at 30 MPH about 300 feet from the departure end of the runway. The aircraft slowed to about 20 MPH as it rolled off of the runway surface, and onto a muddy field. Subsequently, the nose landing gear collapsed, allowing a 4-foot x 4-foot long section of nose boom to dig into the mud. The aircraft then pitched down about the nose as the main rotor impacted the ground. After the rotor impact, the aircraft rolled to the right, and the right wing impacted the ground. The aircraft sustained structural damage to the right wing, rudder, and main rotor. Skid marks, found about 150 feet forward of the original touch down point, and correlating to the aircraft's landing gear/tires, were observed on the runway. The designer and manufacturer of the prototype, monitored the entire flight with on-board parameter recording devices. These data suggested that the pilot did not lower the collective enough for the brakes to be effective. ## Factual narrative On December 13, 2000, at 1700 central standard time, a Cartercopter Model-1 experimental prototype gyroplane, N121CC, registered to and operated by Cartercopter LLC of Wichita Falls, Texas, was substantially damaged during landing on runway 22 at the Olney Municipal Airport near Olney, Texas. The commercial pilot and his pilot rated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 local test flight. The pilot reported that he was performing a short test flight from one end of the runway to the other end. After a low level, low airspeed, flight down the runway centerline, the pilot executed a run-on landing at 30 MPH about 300 feet from the departure end of the runway. The aircraft slowed to about 20 MPH as it rolled off of the runway surface, and onto a muddy field. Subsequently, the nose landing gear collapsed, allowing a 4-foot x 4-foot long section of nose boom to dig into the mud. The aircraft then pitched down about the nose as the main rotor impacted the ground. After main rotor impact, the aircraft rolled to the right, and the right wing impacted the ground. Examination of the wreckage revealed structural damage to the right wing, rudder, and main rotor. Skid marks, found about 150 feet forward of the original touch down point, and correlating to the aircraft's landing gear/tires, were observed on the runway. The operator, who is the designer and manufacturer of the prototype, reported that he was monitoring the entire flight with on board parameter recording devices. He stated that the pilot "failed to lower the collective after landing and so there was not enough weight on the wheels for the brakes to be effective." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N121CC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N121CC), registered now, S/N 001, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cartercopter MODEL 1 - 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: 001 - Airframe hours: 85 - Engines: GM LS 1 CORVETTE 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Cartercopters LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 12, 2000, 2 hours before - Departed: ONY - Airport: ONY, Olney Airport, runway 22, 5,098 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; flight instructor, commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,400 total, 5 in this make and model, 3,752 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20001213027729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001213027729A), Dec 13, 2000: Amtr CARTERCOPTER, Olney, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On December 13, 2000, at 1700 CST, a Cartercopter, N121CC, owned by Cartercopter LLC. Overshot the end of the runway after landing on a test flight.… ## 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 FTW00LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA045), Dec 16, 1999: Cartercopters Cartercopter (N121CC), Olney, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm during takeoff, which resulted in a hard landing following the aborted takeoff. 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.