# NTSB FTW90FA170: Air & Space 18A, N6132S, Shreveport, LA, August 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1990, 14:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Shreveport, LA
- Location: 32.4465° N, 93.8260° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SHREVEPORT RGNL (SHV), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4465&lon=-93.8260&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23037
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90FA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23037/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA170

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO FOLLOW PUBLISHED TAKEOFF PROCEDURES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - improper, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PIC STATED THAT AT LIFTOFF A SEVERE LATERAL VIBRATION OCCURRED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE GYROPLANE. WITNESSES REPORTED AN ERRATIC PORPOISING PITCHING MOTION. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST APPROXIMATELY 1,500 FEET AFTER CONTROL WAS LOST, WHICH WAS AT THE POINT OF ATTEMPTED LIFTOFF. AS A RESULT OF FLAPPING, TWO OF THE THREE ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE PROPELLER AND RUDDER. ALTHOUGH NOT RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER, THE FRONT SEAT WAS OCCUPIED BY A PILOT RATED PASSENGER WITH NO GYROPLANE EXPERIENCE. DURING SUBSEQUENT FLIGHT TESTING, TAKEOFF WAS PERFORMED UNDER SIMILAR CONDITIONS. IMPROPER TECHNIQUES DURING ATTEMPTED LIFTOFF RESULTED IN ERRATIC OSCILLATION AND ROTOR RPM DECAY. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WAS DISCOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6132S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6132S-2003-10-01), registration cancelled 2003-10-01, S/N 18-39, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Air & Space 18A
- Registry model: [Air & Space America 18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-space-america-18a) (registry code 0440104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane
- Serial number: 18-39
- Airframe hours: 1004
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: FAA (Btr Fsdo)
- Registered owner: Can-Am Capital, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 2, 1990, 2 hours before
- Departed: SHV
- Airport: SHV, Regional, runway 23, 6,200 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 9,100 total, 14 in this make and model, 9,100 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 49 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SHV, 1 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 19900829041219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900829041219A), Aug 29, 1990: Airspc 18AAIRSPC, Shreveport, LA, Substantial damage. Appears incorrect control input allowed gyroplane to touch runway just after liftoff caused resonance vibrations.

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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