# NTSB GAA15CA127: Paquin Michael A A, N485MP, Concord, NH, June 20, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 20, 2015, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Concord, NH - Coordinates: 43.204166, -71.504997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2042&lon=-71.5050&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 27, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Portland FSDO FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91407 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA127 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91407/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91407 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA127 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a roll over. Contributing to the loss of control was the pilot's failure to disengage the main rotor brake prior to takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Paquin Michael A A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05631C2), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Paquin Michael A A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05631C2), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Paquin Michael A A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=05631C2), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Main rotor drive: main rotor brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046321): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Paquin Michael A A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046321/cases.md?model=05631C2), [All aircraft, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046321/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Paquin Michael A A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05631C2), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Paquin Michael A A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05631C2), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Paquin Michael A A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=05631C2), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the amateur built gyrocopter reported that during taxi to the runway, he was distracted by his electronic altimeter when it entered a sleep mode. After resetting the altimeter, the pilot immediately entered the active runway and initiated the takeoff roll without disengaging the main rotor brake. Subsequently, at 25 miles per hour during the takeoff roll he reported an unusual vibration and a knocking sound. The pilot attempted to reduce speed, but the gyrocopter tipped forward and to the left, the main rotor impacted the ground, and the gyrocopter rolled over on its right side coming to a stop on the runway. During an interview with the pilot, he explained that the rotor brake must be disengaged before takeoff. He also stated that this accident may have been prevented if the rotor brake was designed in a manner that required manual hand pressure from the pilot. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyrocopter that would have precluded normal operation. Substantial damage was found along the main rotor and vertical stabilizer. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the amateur built gyrocopter reported that during taxi to the runway, he was distracted by his electronic altimeter when it entered a sleep mode. After resetting the altimeter, the pilot immediately entered the active runway and initiated the takeoff roll without disengaging the main rotor brake. Subsequently, at 25 miles per hour during the takeoff roll he reported an unusual vibration and a knocking sound. The pilot attempted to reduce speed, but the gyrocopter tipped forward and to the left, the main rotor impacted the ground, and the gyrocopter rolled over on its right side coming to a stop on the runway. During an interview with the pilot, he explained that the rotor brake must be disengaged before takeoff. He also stated that this accident may have been prevented if the rotor brake was designed in a manner that required manual hand pressure from the pilot. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyrocopter that would have precluded normal operation. Substantial damage was found along the main rotor and vertical stabilizer. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N485MP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N485MP), registered now, S/N 1-2011, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PAQUIN MICHAEL A A (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Paquin Michael A A](https://openairdocs.org/model/paquin-michael-a-a) (registry code 05631C2) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Compact Ra MZ202](https://openairdocs.org/engine/compact-ra-mz202) (registry code 14700, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1-2011 - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 95 - Engines: Compact Radial Engines MZ202 60 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: CON, Concord, NH - Destination: CON, Concord, NH - Airport: CON, Concord Muni, runway 12, 3,200 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; sport pilot; medical: sport pilot; last flight review September 10, 2013; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 90 total, 60 in this make and model, 84 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KCON ## 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 20150620021649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150620021649A), Jun 20, 2015: Paquin Michael A A, Concord, NH, Substantial damage. Pilot proceeded to the runway from taxiway and lined up on runway centerline when pilot noticed the aircraft electronic altimeter had powered down to idle mode… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 10, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91407. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429017&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429018&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Gyrocopter on Runway (Courtesy of Operator) (item 3, .PDF, 142 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429019&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Gyrocopter%20on%20Runway%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Rear Section of Gyrocopter (Courtesy of Operator) (item 4, .PDF, 160 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429020&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Rear%20Section%20of%20Gyrocopter%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-Master.PDF 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.