# NTSB FTW01LA108: Cartercopters Cartercopter, N121CC, Olney, TX, April 29, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 29, 2001, 14:46 local (19:46 UTC) - Place: Olney, TX - Coordinates: 33.359931, -98.750312 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3599&lon=-98.7503&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 19, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 52170 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA108 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52170/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA108 ## 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. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot was conducting a test flight over the runway. The experimental prototype gyrocraft took off from the runway and flew approximately 2-3 feet above the ground. The pilot applied "right cyclic control" for drift correction while raising the collective approximately "6 degrees for climb." The pilot reported that at the same time the nose pitched up rapidly and rolled to the right. Corrective control inputs were applied to level the gyrocopter; however, it rolled left and over flew the edge of the runway. The pilot reduced the collective, and the aircraft touched down on the ground in a level attitude rolling approximately 25 mph. As the gyrocraft slowed to approximately 5 mph, the nose landing gear collapsed, the gyrocraft nosed down, and the main rotor blades contacted the ground and sustained structural damage. The pilot had accumulated 3,800 flight hours. This was the pilot's first flight in the accident aircraft. ## Factual narrative On April 29, 2001, at 1446 central daylight time, a Cartercopters Cartercopter experimental prototype gyrocraft, N121CC, was substantially damaged when it encountered soft terrain and nosed down during landing following an aborted takeoff at the Olney Municipal Airport, Olney, Texas. The aircraft was registered to and operated by CarterCopters LLC, of Wichita Falls, Texas. The commercial pilot and his 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. According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the pilot was conducting a test flight over runway 17. The pilot took off from runway 17 and flew approximately 2-3 feet above the ground. According to the pilot, he applied "right cyclic control" for drift correction while raising the collective approximately "6 degrees for climb." The pilot reported that at the same time the nose pitched up rapidly and rolled to the right. Corrective control inputs were applied to level the gyrocopter; however, it rolled left and over flew the edge of the runway. The pilot reduced the collective, and the aircraft touched down on the ground in a level attitude rolling approximately 25 mph. As the gyrocraft slowed to approximately 5 mph, the nose landing gear collapsed, the gyrocraft nosed down, and the main rotor blades contacted the ground and sustained structural damage. The pilot had accumulated 3,800 flight hours. However, this was the pilot's first flight in this aircraft. According to the manufacturer, the flight was conducted in order to understand the prototype's flight characteristics. ## 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, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Airframe hours: 110.9 - Engines: GM Corvette LS1 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Registered owner: Cartercopters - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 29, 2001, 8 hours before - Departed: ONY, Olney, TX - Airport: ONY, Olney Municipal, runway 17, 5,500 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 5, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 3,800 total, 3,800 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 8 knots, gusting 12 - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 20010429009799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010429009799A), Apr 29, 2001: Olney, TX, No damage. (-23)On 04/29/2001, a cartercopter experimental gyrocraft, was conducting a test flight over flight over runway 17 at Olney Municipal Airport, Olney, Texas,… ## 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 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. - [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.