# NTSB FTW84FA290: Griffin FG-1A, N455FG, Mt Pleasant, TX, June 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1984, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Mt Pleasant, TX
- Coordinates: 33.159496, -94.970252 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1595&lon=-94.9703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21130
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA290
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21130/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA290

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate initial training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE GYROCOPTER PLT TOOK OFF & TURNED ONTO A LEFT DOWNWIND TO STAY IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR RWY 17. ONE WITNESS STATED THAT THE GYROCOPTER TURNED ONTO FINAL APCH AT ABOUT 300 TO 400 FT AGL. TWO OTHER WITNESSES, WHO RESIDE APRX 1/4 MI NORTH OF THE ARPT, RELATED THAT THE GYROCOPTER FLEW LOW OVER THEIR PROPERTY AT ABOUT 150 FT WHILE TURNING ONTO FINAL. BOTH REPORTED THAT THE ENG WAS OPERATING & SOUNDED NORMAL. ONE INDIVIDUAL STATED THAT THE PLT WAVED AS HE PASSED OVER HIS BACKYARD. REPORTEDLY, THE GYROCOPTER FLEW LOW OVER POWER LINES, CLIMBED TO A MORE NORMAL ALTITUDE, THEN ENTERED A STEEP DESCENT & CRASHED. ONE WITNESS SAID IT STALLED. ANOTHER SAID IT FELL LIKE A ROCK. IMPACT OCCURRED ABOUT 200 FT SHORT OF THE RWY. NO PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. LOCAL GYROCOPTER OPERATORS STATED THE PLT WAS TEACHING HIMSELF TO FLY DESPITE RECOMMENDATIONS TO OBTAIN INSTRUCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N455FG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N455FG-2013-09-30), registration cancelled 2013-09-30, S/N 1, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRIFFIN FG-1A
- Registry model: [Griffin Fred W FG-1A GYROCOPTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/griffin-fred-w-fg-1a-gyrocopter) (registry code 130011K) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 45
- Engines: Volkswagen TYPE 3 1835CC 60 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Earnest W. Grober
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, September 1, 1983, 45 hours before
- Airport: F03, Mt. Pleasant Municipal, runway 17, 3,800 × 125 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 700 total, 45 in this make and model, 592 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GGG, 43 nm away

## 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 19840629028049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840629028049A), Jun 29, 1984: Amtrbx BENSENB8*, Mt Pleasant, TX, Destroyed. Stalled gyrocopter while turning final and dropped straight down. Pilot had no rotorcraft training or rating.

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.

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