# NTSB FTW90DPA09: Moffitt, William A. Windryder, N532BM, Mesquite, TX, September 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1990, 14:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Mesquite, TX
- Location: 32.7668° N, 96.5992° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mesquite, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7668&lon=-96.5992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22935
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90DPA09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22935/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DPA09

## Probable cause

THE POWER LOSS DUE TO FAILURE OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION BY THE OPERATOR. A FACTOR WAS THE WIRE STRUCK DURING THE EMERENCY DESCENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - ignition system - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, company/operator management (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AT ABOUT 1,000 FEET AGL THE GYROPLANE OWNER/BUILDER/PILOT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL POWER LOSS. DURING THE EMERGENCY DESCENT TO THE FORCED LANDING THE AIRCRAFT CLEARED POWER LINES AND VEERED LEFT TO AVOID TREES. THE ROTOR BLADE STRUCK A TELEPHONE CABLE RESULTING IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCEND TO GROUND IMPACT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE SPADE LUG CONNECTED TO THE IGNITION DAMPING BOX DISCONNECTED DUE TO IMPROPER CRIMPING, CAUSING LOSS OF IGNITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N532BM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N532BM-2001-08-15), registration cancelled 2001-08-15, S/N 896008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOFFITT, WILLIAM A. WINDRYDER
- Registry model: [Moffitt William A WINDRYDER](https://openairdocs.org/model/moffitt-william-a-windryder) (registry code 13015CD) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 896008
- Airframe hours: 45
- Engines: ROTAX 532LC 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Moffitt, William A
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 21, 1990, 45 hours before
- Departed: LNC, LANCASTER, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 143 total, 45 in this make and model, 84 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAL, 13 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 19900929043339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900929043339A), Sep 29, 1990: Amtrjc WINDRIDER, Mesquite, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit. Rotors struck powerline on forced landing. Ignition connector had pulled out. Lost ignition.

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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