# NTSB FTW88DRA15: Air Command Elite 532, N91359, Baytown, TX, July 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1988, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Baytown, TX
- Coordinates: 29.740547, -94.959197 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7405&lon=-94.9592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22484
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DRA15
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22484/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRA15

## 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
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO TAKEOFF AND TURN RIGHT CROSSWIND. DRNG THE CROSSWIND, THE RPM INCREASED SUDDENLY. THE ACFT PITCHED NOSE DOWNWARDS, IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A VERTICAL DESCENT AND BURNED. THE PLT/BUILDER HAD A TOTAL OF 5 HRS IN THE NEW ACFT. NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT STRUCTURAL, ROTOR, OR SYSTEM FAILURE WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION. A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MANUFACTURER OF THE KITS FOR THE ACFT INDICATED THAT THE ACFT IS EASY TO OVERCONTROL AND CAN LEAD TO PORPOISING WHICH IS DIFFICULT TO CORRECT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91359](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91359-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 3672167 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR COMMAND ELITE 532
- Registry model: [Glens Robert L AIR COMMAND 532](https://openairdocs.org/model/glens-robert-l-air-command-532) (registry code 130013N) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3672167
- Airframe hours: 5
- Engines: BOMBARDIER ROTAX 532 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert L. Glens
- Registered owner: Glens, Robert L
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, October 7, 1987, 2 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Mcalister, runway 16, 2,500 × 65 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 65 total, 5 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 22 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 19880723027609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880723027609A), Jul 23, 1988: Amtrac ELITE532, Baytown, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Glider pilot not rated in type lost control after takeoff and gyrocopter descended vertically to ground impact.

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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