# NTSB FTW90DRA03: Air Command 447, Hearne, TX, February 17, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: February 17, 1990, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Hearne, TX
- Coordinates: 30.870365, -96.589958 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8704&lon=-96.5900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22970
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90DRA03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22970/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DRA03

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THE ACCIDENT MAKE AND MODEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT SHORTLY AFTER TAKING OFF. IT WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST FLIGHT IN THE AIRCRAFT AFTER HE HAD REBUILT IT, HOWEVER, IT HAD BEEN TEST FLOWN BY ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL. THE PILOT HAD ACCUMULATED A TOTAL OF 6.5 HOURS IN GYROPLANES AND RECEIVED AN ENDORSEMENT TO HIS PRIVATE LICENSE. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL ANY REASON FOR THE LOSS OF CONTROL. PILOT WITNESSES, WHO WERE FAMILIAR WITH GYROPLANE OPERATIONS, STATED THAT THE PILOT LOST CONTROL DUE TO 'IMPROPER PILOT TECHNIQUE'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AIR COMMAND 447
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1119
- Engines: ROTAX 503 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Operator: Guerra, Oscar J., Jr.
- Departed: T72
- Destination: T72
- Airport: T72, Hearne Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 464 total, 7 in this make and model, 384 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
- Observed at: CLL, 27 nm away

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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