# NTSB FTW97LA278: Watts RAF 2000 Gyroplane, N6826Z, Conroe, TX, July 10, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 10, 1997, 08:05 local (13:05 UTC) - Place: Conroe, TX - Coordinates: 30.319692, -95.469116 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3197&lon=-95.4691&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 7, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20289 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA278 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20289/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA278 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor was his premature liftoff at low airspeed. ## 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 - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor) - airspeed - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis During takeoff on the pilot's third solo flight in the amateur built gyroplane, the gyroplane lifted off at low airspeed and yawed left. According to the pilot, he over corrected with right rudder and then left rudder, and the gyroplane nosed over and impacted the ground. Witnesses observed the gyroplane lift off, enter a steep right bank, and fall to the ground. The pilot, who held a private pilot certificate with single and multi-engine land ratings, purchased the gyroplane in June 1997. He had received 15 hours of dual instruction and accumulated 1.8 hours of solo flight time in the gyroplane prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On July 10, 1997, at 0805 central daylight time, an experimental homebuilt Watts RAF 2000 Gyroplane, N6826Z, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground following a loss of control on takeoff from the Montgomery County Airport in Conroe, Texas. The private pilot, who held a solo endorsement for flight in the gyroplane, was the sole occupant and received minor injuries. The gyroplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 local solo instructional flight that was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he "attempted lift off with too low airspeed" on runway 01, and approximately 10 feet AGL, the gyroplane yawed left. The pilot further reported that he over corrected with right rudder and then left rudder, and the gyroplane "nosed over left and crashed." One witness stated that "after liftoff the gyrocopter appeared unstable, made a fast right turn to the east then rolled over to the point that the rotor blade hit the ground." Another witness reported that "just after [it] was airborne, the gyro copter banked right and crashed." Both witnesses, who were airport employees, stated that at 0805, the ASOS (Automated Surface Observing System) was reporting winds calm, altimeter setting 30.08 inches of Hg, and sky clear. A FAA inspector examined the gyroplane and reported that the rotor mast was bent, and the rotor blades incurred structural damage. According to FAA records, the pilot, who held a private pilot certificate with single and multi-engine land ratings, purchased the gyroplane on June 4, 1997. Review of the pilot's logbook indicated that between June 6 and July 1, he received 15 hours of dual instruction in the gyroplane. On July 1, the flight instructor endorsed the logbook for solo flights in a RAF 2000 Gyroplane, and the pilot completed a 1.0 hour solo flight. On July 9, the day before the accident, the pilot completed a 0.8 hour solo flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6826Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6826Z-2015-05-20), registration cancelled 2015-05-20, S/N H2-93-4-96, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Watts RAF 2000 GYROPLANE (RAF 2000 G) - Registry model: [Watts Ted G RAF 2000 GYROPLANE](https://openairdocs.org/model/watts-ted-g-raf-2000-gyroplane) (registry code 05624JR) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Subaru ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 59050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: H2-93-4-96 - Airframe hours: 130 - Engines: Subaru EA82 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joe D. Havens - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 30, 1996 - Departed: CXO - Airport: CXO, Montgomery County, runway 1, 3,984 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 560 total, 17 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19970710019149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970710019149A), Jul 10, 1997: Amtr RAF2000, Conroe, TX, Substantial damage. Lost control on initial climbout. Gyroplane rotors hit ground. Rolled over. Impact bent mast and both rotor blades. (-23) the aircraft is a ted g. watts - raf… 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.