# NTSB GAA15LA191: Celier Xenon RST, N402ED, Livingston, TX, July 17, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 2015, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Livingston, TX - Coordinates: 30.688888, -95.021942 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6889&lon=-95.0219&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Pictaio Aerospace, FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91597 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15LA191 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91597/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91597 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15LA191 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control after aborting the takeoff due to a grinding noise coming from the main rotor area, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Celier XENON RST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=059016F), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Celier XENON RST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=059016F), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Main rotor system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046200): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [Celier XENON RST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046200/cases.md?model=059016F), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046200/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Celier XENON RST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=059016F), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Celier XENON RST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=059016F), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Celier XENON RST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=059016F), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Celier XENON RST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=059016F), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during takeoff and as the gyroplane was about 1 ft above the ground, he heard a grinding noise originating from the main rotor area directly above him. The pilot reduced the power to idle to abort the takeoff. The gyroplane drifted off the left side of the runway and rolled onto its left side. During postaccident examination of the gyroplane, flight control continuity was established, and no anomalies were noted. An examination of the main rotor head revealed that the top of the prerotation plate, which is a large-diameter, circular metal plate with a gear-toothed outer edge used to prerotate the main rotor blades for takeoff, displayed evidence of preaccident circumferential scoring. An examination of the prerotation drive housing showed evidence of scoring on the upper portion of the opening through which the prerotation plate is driven. The top of the upper housing assembly also displayed evidence of scoring. Based on the evidence, it is likely that the prerotation housing became misaligned, which resulted in the grinding noise reported by the pilot. However, the misalignment of the prerotation housing would not have led to the loss of directional control. ## Factual narrative On July 17, 2015, about 1500 central daylight time, a Celier Aviation Xenon RST, gyroplane, N402ED, aborted the takeoff after hearing a grinding noise coming from the main rotors, veered off the runway to the left, and rolled onto its left side at the Livingston Municipal Airport (00R), Livingston, Texas. The private pilot, the sole occupant in the gyroplane, sustained minor injuries. The gyroplane was registered to and operated by the pilot, as a visual flight rules, personal cross-country flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Jennings Airport (3R7), Jennings, Louisiana at 1100 central daylight time. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on July 21, 2015, the pilot stated that during the takeoff roll about 1 foot above ground he heard a grinding noise originating from the main rotor area directly above him. The pilot reduced the power to idle to abort the takeoff; the gyroplane drifted to the left side of the runway, rolled onto its left side impacting the ground. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, and right tail tube. Examination of the gyroplane revealed that the main rotor blades were bent upward about 35 degrees on the ends and the outer casing of the right tail tube was damaged. Flight control continuity was established throughout the gyroplane and no anomalies were noted. The engine was examined, started and run on the airframe by the NTSB IIC, no anomalies were noted. The main rotor head was examined by the IIC, the top of the pre-rotation plate, a large diameter circular metal plate with a gear-toothed outer edge used to pre-rotate the main rotor blades for takeoff, displayed evidence of scoring about one inch in diameter around the circumference the top of the plate. The upper housing assembly, which houses the pre-rotation drive components, was examined and showed evidence of scoring on the upper portion of the opening that the pre-rotation plate is driven through. The top of the upper housing assembly displayed evidence of scorning about 180 degrees in a half circle shape on the top of the assembly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N402ED](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N402ED), registered now, S/N CA102871S (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CELIER AVIATION XENON RST (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Celier XENON RST](https://openairdocs.org/model/celier-xenon-rst) (registry code 059016F) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912-series) (registry code 55569, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane - Serial number: CA102871S - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 83 - Engines: Rotax 912 RST 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Steven Posner - Registered owner: Steven Posner - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, February 1, 2015 - Departed: 00R, LIVINGSTON, TX - Destination: 50R, LOCKHART, TX - Airport: 00R, Livingston Muni, runway 12, 3,704 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; sport pilot, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 16, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,066 total, 14 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft broken - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KCXO, 28 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 20150717010009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150717010009A), Jul 17, 2015: Celier Aviation XENON RST, Livingston, TX, Substantial damage. The pilot heard a loud noise and felt vibration on takeoff. He aborted the takeoff and the aircraft departed the left side of the runway and rolled onto its… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 15, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91597. 6.1 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=40431816&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Party Form (Pictaio Aerospace) (item 2, .PDF, 320 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431817&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Party%20Form%20(Pictaio%20Aerospace)-Master.PDF - Photographs (item 3, .PDF, 6 photos, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431818&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photographs-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.