# NTSB FTW98LA015: Sego Tool Hawk H2X, N4412X, Tooele, UT, October 15, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 15, 1997, 14:16 local (20:16 UTC) - Place: Tooele, UT - Coordinates: 40.569519, -112.330101 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5695&lon=-112.3301&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20455 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA015 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20455/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA015 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing was the inadequate design of the flight control systems, resulting in slow response to pilot input. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - other (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command - acft/equip,inadequate design, production/design personnel (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - open field - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was taking off for one of a series of flight tests. He reported that shortly after liftoff, the gyroplane made an uncommanded roll to the right. The pilot said that he applied full left cyclic and full left rudder, but the main rotor system struck the ground. The main rotor blades separated from the gyroplane and the aircraft came to rest with the fuselage twisted. Postcrash examination of the gyroplane by the design/manufacturing team revealed that the control system design of this aircraft had an inherent lag in time between control input and aircraft response. They found the runway that the gyroplane was taking off from slopped 1.7 to 1.8 degrees to the left. They said that 'the moment the aircraft left the ground, gravity moved the fuselage to the left and the rotor disk to the right.' Subsequently, a right turn was initiated and ground contact was made by the main rotor disk before the pilot's correction inputs could take effect. ## Factual narrative On October 15, 1997, approximately 1416 mountain daylight time, a Sego Tool Hawk H2X gyroplane, N4412X, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground during initial climb following takeoff near Tooele, Utah. The airline transport rated pilot, the sole occupant in the gyroplane, was not injured. The gyroplane was being operated by Geoen Brothers Aviation, Inc., under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local test flight that was originating at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot, he was taking off for one of a series of flight tests. He reported that shortly after liftoff, the gyroplane made an uncommanded roll to the right. The pilot said that he applied full left cyclic and full left rudder, but the main rotor system struck the ground. The main rotor blades separated from the gyroplane and the aircraft came to rest with the fuselage twisted. Postcrash examination of the gyroplane by the design/manufacturing team revealed that the control system design of this aircraft had an inherent lag in time between control input and aircraft response. They found the runway that the gyroplane was taking off from slopped 1.7 to 1.8 degrees to the left. They said that "the moment the aircraft left the ground, gravity moved the fuselage to the left and the rotor disk to the right." Subsequently, a right turn was initiated and ground contact was made by the main rotor disk before the pilot's correction inputs could take effect. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4412X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4412X-2018-04-18), registration cancelled 2018-04-18, S/N 201X, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SEGO TOOL HAWK H2X - Registry model: [Sego Tool HAWK 2X](https://openairdocs.org/model/sego-tool-hawk-2x) (registry code 13015JR) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane - Serial number: 201X - Airframe hours: 40 - Engines: Chevrolet V-8 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Groen Brothers Aviation Inc. - Registered owner: Sego Tool Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Special, Special flight (Special) - Departed: T62 - Airport: T62, Tooele South Army Depot, runway 36, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 12,663 total, 6 in this make and model, 12,478 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 8 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SLC, 23 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 19971015031349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971015031349A), Oct 15, 1997: Amtr HAWK2X, Tooele, UT, Substantial damage. Homebuilt hawk 2X gyro came down shortly after takeoff nose gear struck rock, flipped over, Tooele, UT. (.4)according to the pilot, he was taking off for one… 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.