# NTSB GAA16CA240: Mills Gregory T AIR Commander LRT, N962GT, Tybee Island, GA, May 14, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 14, 2016, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Tybee Island, GA
- Coordinates: 31.97611, -80.854446 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9761&lon=-80.8544&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 25, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93195
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA240
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93195/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93195
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA240

## Probable cause

The pilot's decision to perform a touch-and-go on unsuitable terrain, which resulted in a loss of directional control and a rollover.

## 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: [Mills Gregory T AIR COMMANDER LRT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05632KZ), [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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mills Gregory T AIR COMMANDER LRT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05632KZ), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mills Gregory T AIR COMMANDER LRT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05632KZ), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Mills Gregory T AIR COMMANDER LRT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=05632KZ), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Mills Gregory T AIR COMMANDER LRT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=05632KZ), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/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: [Mills Gregory T AIR COMMANDER LRT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05632KZ), [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: [Mills Gregory T AIR COMMANDER LRT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=05632KZ), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mills Gregory T AIR COMMANDER LRT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05632KZ), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of a gyroplane reported that during a touch-and-go on a sand bar, the nose wheel began to dig into soft sand. The pilot further reported that he turned the nose wheel to the left towards firmer sand, but the spring-loaded nose wheel dug further into the sand and suddenly turned "full left." Subsequently, the gyroplane rolled over to the right, which resulted in substantial damage to the rudder. The pilot reported that the throttle quadrant friction-set screw had become loose while in-flight, but the mechanical malfunction did not occur during the touch-and-go phase of flight.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of a gyroplane reported that during a touch-and-go on a sand bar, the nose wheel began to dig into soft sand. The pilot further reported that he turned the nose wheel to the left towards firmer sand, but the spring-loaded nose wheel dug further into the sand and suddenly turned "full left." Subsequently, the gyroplane rolled over to the right, which resulted in substantial damage to the rudder. The pilot reported that the throttle quadrant friction-set screw had become loose while in-flight, but the mechanical malfunction did not occur during the touch-and-go phase of flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N962GT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N962GT), registered now, S/N XM010404 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MILLS GREGORY T AIR COMMANDER LRT (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Mills Gregory T AIR COMMANDER LRT](https://openairdocs.org/model/mills-gregory-t-air-commander-lrt) (registry code 05632KZ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Yamaha ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/yamaha-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 80000, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: XM010404
- Year built: 2013
- Airframe hours: 250
- Engines: Yamaha Genesis 4 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, May 14, 2016
- Departed: GA39, SAVANNAH, GA
- Destination: GA39, SAVANNAH, GA
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; sport pilot; medical: sport pilot; last flight review May 21, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 352 total, 149 in this make and model, 352 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 13 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observed at: KSAV, 15 nm away

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 14, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93195. 2.1 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=40442269&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of Operator) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 184 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442270&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.

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