# NTSB FTW96LA391: Tubb AIR Commander 532, N7136C, Magnolia, AR, September 18, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 18, 1996, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Magnolia, AR - Coordinates: 33.270538, -93.230186 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2705&lon=-93.2302&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19982 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA391 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19982/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA391 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to the loss of coolant, as a result of a leak in the radiator. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - cooling system,radiator - leak (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis According to the student pilot, the gyroplane's engine began to lose coolant. While attempting to return to his departure point, the engine lost power. The pilot made a forced landing to a heavily wooded area, and the gyroplane came to rest on its right side. FAA records revealed that the student pilot, who built the gyroplane, was issued a registration certificate for the aircraft on 5/24/90. His last medical certificate was issued on 7/12/90, at which time he was issued a student pilot certificate. ## Factual narrative On September 18, 1996, at 0730 central daylight time, a Tubb Air Commander 532 gyroplane, N7136C, registered to and operated by a private owner, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Magnolia, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the local flight. The student pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight originated from a field site near Magnolia, Arkansas, about 10 minutes before the accident. According to the student pilot, the engine began to lose coolant from the radiator. While attempting to return to his point of origination, the engine lost power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a heavily wooded area. The pilot's parents alerted local authorities when he did not return from the flight. The pilot was located the following morning at 0354, approximately 20.5 hours after the accident. Examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector revealed that it was on its right side with one rotor blade damaged, both propeller blades were partially separated, and the fuselage frame was bent. FAA records revealed that the student pilot, who built the Tubb Air Commander 532 gyroplane, was issued a registration certificate for the aircraft on May 24, 1990. His last medical certificate was issued on July 12, 1990, at which time he was issued a student pilot certificate. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7136C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7136C-1999-08-23), registration cancelled 1999-08-23, S/N 9279712 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TUBB AIR COMMANDER 532 (AIR COMMAN) - Registry model: [Tubb David Neil AIR COMMAND 532ELITE](https://openairdocs.org/model/tubb-david-neil-air-command-532elite) (registry code 13027LC) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 9279712 - Airframe hours: 169 - Engines: Rotax ROTAX 532 64 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David N. Tubb - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 24, 1996, 16 hours before - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; student; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 191 total, 169 in this make and model, 169 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F ## 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 19960918028719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960918028719A), Sep 18, 1996: Texarkana, AR, Substantial damage. Helicopter developed a coolant leak during flight, attempted to return, lost power and crashed. (-23) aircraft developed a coolant leak during flight, pilot… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.