# NTSB GAA16CA499: Alex Michael Bantum/Tercel USA TERCEL-GYROPLANE, N528WM, Blairstown, NJ, September 17, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 17, 2016, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Blairstown, NJ - Coordinates: 40.971111, -74.997497 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9711&lon=-74.9975&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 May 15, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94058 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA499 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94058/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94058 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA499 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s incorrect takeoff procedure, which resulted in a loss of main rotor rpm and the subsequent loss of directional control and runway excursion. ## 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: [Alex Michael Bantum/Tercel USA TERCEL-GYROPLANE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05633NF), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Alex Michael Bantum/Tercel USA TERCEL-GYROPLANE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=05633NF), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/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: [Alex Michael Bantum/Tercel USA TERCEL-GYROPLANE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05633NF), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Alex Michael Bantum/Tercel USA TERCEL-GYROPLANE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=05633NF), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/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: [Alex Michael Bantum/Tercel USA TERCEL-GYROPLANE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05633NF), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Retreating blade stall](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/243); cases with it: [Alex Michael Bantum/Tercel USA TERCEL-GYROPLANE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/243/sequence.md?model=05633NF), [All aircraft, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/243/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Alex Michael Bantum/Tercel USA TERCEL-GYROPLANE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05633NF), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the solo student pilot, the experimental, amateur-built gyrocopter was positioned for takeoff on the runway and stopped with the brakes set. He recalled that he engaged the prerotor, increased the main rotor speed to 180 rpm, then disengaged the prerotor, released the brake, and applied full throttle. He reported that, "this is where I made my mistake. At this point I should have brought the control stick all the way back, but did not." He recalled that the gyrocopter was moving forward rapidly but that the rotor rpm decreased and that he then pulled the control stick aft. He reported that the rotor blades were flapping, the control stick became uncontrollable, and the gyrocopter exited the runway to the left. The student pilot reduced the throttle to idle, and during the runway excursion, the left main and the nose landing gear separated from the gyrocopter. The main rotor blade struck the ground, the blade grip sustained substantial damage, and the rotor head partially separated from the frame. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airframe or the engine that would have prevented normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the solo student pilot, the experimental amateur built gyrocopter was positioned for takeoff on the runway, and stopped with the brakes set. He recalled that he engaged the pre-rotor, increased the main rotor speed to 180 revolutions per minute (rpm), then disengaged the pre-rotator, released the brake, and applied full throttle. He reported that, "this is where I made my mistake. At this point I should have brought the control stick all the way back, but did not." He recalled that the gyrocopter was moving forward rapidly, but the rotor rpm decreased, and he then pulled the control stick aft. He reported that the rotor blades were flapping, the control stick became uncontrollable, and the gyrocopter exited the runway to the left. The student pilot reduced the throttle to idle, and during the runway excursion the left main and the nose landing gear separated from the gyrocopter. The main rotor blade struck the ground, the blade grip sustained substantial damage, and the rotor head partially separated from the frame. The student pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airframe or the engine that would have prevented normal flight operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N528WM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N528WM), registered now, S/N 005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ALEX MICHAEL BANTUM/TERCEL USA TERCEL-GYROPLANE (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Alex Michael Bantum/Tercel USA TERCEL-GYROPLANE](https://openairdocs.org/model/alex-michael-bantum-tercel-usa-tercel-gyroplane) (registry code 05633NF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912UL series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912ul-series) (registry code 55571, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 005 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 60 - Engines: Rotax 912UL 81 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Tinz Gyro LLC - Registered owner: Tinz Gyro LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 1, 2015 - Departed: 1N7, Blairstown, NJ - Destination: 1N7, Blairstown, NJ - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 1N7, Blairstown, runway 25, 3,112 × 70 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; student, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 28, 2016; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 200 total, 20 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 7 knots - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: K12N, 12 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 20160917018729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160917018729A), Sep 17, 2016: Alex Michael Bantum/Tercel USA TERCEL-GYROPLANE, Blairstown, NJ, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that he positioned the aircraft on runway 25 to practice take-off and landings and engaged the breaks. He brought the stick vertical and then… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 11, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94058. 800 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 261 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454450&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 3 photos, 539 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451041&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.