# NTSB GAA16CA035: Brandon Evans Gyroplane, N166BE, Buckeye, AZ, October 24, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 24, 2015, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Buckeye, AZ - Coordinates: 33.415554, -112.686386 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4156&lon=-112.6864&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Admnistration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92260 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA035 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92260/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92260 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA035 ## Probable cause The student pilot's incorrect control input during takeoff which resulted in a runaway excursion and impact with terrain. ## 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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Evans Brandon GYROPLANE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05901LH), [All aircraft, 9,312 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 · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Evans Brandon GYROPLANE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05901LH), [All aircraft, 3,971 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring equip/instruments](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525): Personnel issues › Psychological · Student/instructed pilot; cases with it: [Evans Brandon GYROPLANE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md?model=05901LH), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Evans Brandon GYROPLANE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05901LH), [All aircraft, 4,591 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Evans Brandon GYROPLANE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05901LH), [All aircraft, 3,664 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Evans Brandon GYROPLANE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05901LH), [All aircraft, 10,134 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that he lined the gyroplane up on the centerline of the runway for takeoff. As the takeoff roll was commenced, the student pilot stated he looked down to check the gyroplane's airspeed indicator and when he looked back up the gyroplane was 2 feet above the ground and drifting right. The gyroplane rolled right and came to rest on its right side. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the rotor mast and horizontal stabilizer. The flight instructor reported that as the rotor was coming up to speed, he noticed the student pilot was holding the cyclic aft and to the right. The flight instructor reported he tried to push the cyclic forward and left but was unable to overcome the student pilot's cyclic inputs. The gyroplane rolled right and came to rest on its right side. The student pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The student pilot reported that he lined the gyroplane up on the centerline of the runway for takeoff. As the takeoff roll was commenced, the student pilot stated he looked down to check the gyroplane's airspeed indicator and when he looked back up the gyroplane was 2 feet above the ground and drifting right. The gyroplane rolled right and came to rest on its right side. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the rotor mast and horizontal stabilizer. The flight instructor reported that as the rotor was coming up to speed, he noticed the student pilot was holding the cyclic aft and to the right. The flight instructor reported he tried to push the cyclic forward and left but was unable to overcome the student pilot's cyclic inputs. The gyroplane rolled right and came to rest on its right side. The student pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N166BE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N166BE), registered now, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BRANDON EVANS GYROPLANE - Registry model: [Evans Brandon GYROPLANE](https://openairdocs.org/model/evans-brandon-gyroplane) (registry code 05901LH) (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: 001 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 62 - Engines: SUBARU EJ25 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 21, 2015 - Departed: BXK, BUCKEYE, AZ - Destination: BXK, BUCKEYE, AZ - Airport: BXK, Buckeye Muni, runway 35, 5,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 40; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 20, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 685 total, 370 in this make and model - Student pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 84 total, 21 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KBXK ## 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 20151024020559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151024020559A), Oct 24, 2015: Evans Brandon GYROPLANE, Substantial damage. A student pilot was performing a pre-solo flight with the CFI aboard. The instructor stated that the aircraft was at the end of runway 35 and had performed a… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 23, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92260. 9.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 8.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434189&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Student Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434190&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Student%20Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of Flight Instructor) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 409 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434191&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20Flight%20Instructor)-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.