# NTSB FTW01LA086: Cartercopters Cartercopter, N121CC, Olney, TX, March 25, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 25, 2001, 11:35 local (17:35 UTC) - Place: Olney, TX - Coordinates: 33.359268, -98.750526 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3593&lon=-98.7505&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 27, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 51963 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51963/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA086 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm, which resuted in the main rotor contacting the tail during landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, landing - flare/touchdown - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - misc rotorcraft,main rotor/tail boom contact ## Analysis A design change was made to the main rotor pitch system of the experimental prototype gyroplane prior to the accident flight. The change incorporated an increase to the main rotor pitch with the collective in the down position. The flight was to takeoff from the runway, climb to 50 feet, fly along the runway, and land on the departure end of the runway. After lift off from the runway, about 5 feet, "a severe out of track condition" was noted and the fuselage rolled left. The pilot immediately reduced the throttle to abort the takeoff and attempted to level the aircraft. In order to level the aircraft prior to touchdown, the pilot had to increase the collective to keep the aircraft airborne until the roll could be corrected. The airspeed had increased to 60 mph, "which was too high [an] airspeed for the collective position and rotor rpm." The rotor exceeded the flapping limits and struck the tail and pusher propeller on landing. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented by "improved and more visible rotor rpm and blade flapping indication." ## Factual narrative On March 25, 2001, at 1135 central standard time, a Cartercopters Cartercopter experimental prototype gyroplane, N121CC, registered to and operated by Cartercopters LLC of Wichita Falls, Texas, was substantially damaged when the main rotor contacted the tail during landing following an aborted takeoff at the Olney Municipal Airport near Olney, Texas. The commercial 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. The pilot reported to the NTSB that a design change was made to the main rotor pitch system prior to the accident flight. The change incorporated an increase to the main rotor pitch with the collective in the down position. The flight was to takeoff from runway 4, climb to 50 feet, fly along the runway, and land on the departure end of the runway. After lift off from the runway, about 5 feet, "a severe out of track condition was noted and the fuselage rolled left. I immediately reduced throttle to abort [the] takeoff and attempted to level the aircraft." In order to level the aircraft prior to touchdown, the pilot had to increase the collective to 7 degrees in order to keep the aircraft airborne until the roll could be corrected. "The airspeed had increased to 60 mph, which was too high [an] airspeed for the collective position and rotor rpm. Rotor exceeded flapping limits and struck [the] tail and pusher prop on landing." The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented by "improved and more visible rotor rpm and blade flapping indication." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N121CC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N121CC), registered now, S/N 001, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cartercopters Cartercopter - 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 - Serial number: 001 - Engines: Chevrolet LS1-35C 330 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Registered owner: Cartercopters LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 24, 2001 - Departed: ONY, Olney, TX - Airport: ONY, Olney Muni, runway 4, 5,098 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 15, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 30 in this make and model - Other flight crew; injuries: none; seat: right ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 20010325007189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010325007189A), Mar 25, 2001: Olney, TX, No damage. (-23)On 3/25/2001, at 1135 am CDT, a gyrocopter, N121CC, owned by cartercopters LLC, 5720 seymour way, wichita falls, Texas 76310 lost dirctional control… ## 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 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. - [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.