# NTSB GAA17CA092: Pitcairn PA 18, N12680, Philadelphia, PA, November 18, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 18, 2016, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Philadelphia, PA - Coordinates: 40.081943, -75.010559 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0819&lon=-75.0106&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94494 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94494/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94494 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA092 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to correct the gyroplane’s right roll during the landing, which resulted in the exceedance of its critical angle and a subsequent roll-over. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s focus on preventing a potential ground loop instead of a roll-over and his lack of experience in the gyroplane model. ## 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: [Pitcairn PA-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7180602), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Pitcairn PA-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=7180602), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: recent experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031045): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Pitcairn PA-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031045/cases.md?model=7180602), [All aircraft, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031045/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Pitcairn PA-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=7180602), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Pitcairn PA-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7180602), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) (defining event); cases with it: [Pitcairn PA-18, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=7180602), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped gyroplane, he landed on the right main landing gear. The gyroplane began rolling to the right, but the gyroplane's heading was aligned to the left of the runway heading and continued in a left direction of travel. He attempted to correct the gyroplane's right roll by moving the control stick to the left; however, the aileron movement did not subside the roll. He reported that in hindsight, opening the throttle and applying right rudder may have subsided the roll, "but my mental preparedness was biased to preventing a ground loop, not a dynamic rollover." The gyroplane continued to roll right and impacted the ground. The gyroplane came to rest on the runway and sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, right wing, and the empennage. The pilot reported that his lack of experience in the gyroplane model contributed to the accident because the critical angle was exceeded in this gyroplane more quickly than in other gyroplanes that he was accustomed to flying. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped gyroplane, he landed on the right main landing gear. The gyroplane begin rolling to the right, but the gyroplane's heading was aligned to the left of the runway heading and continued in a left direction of travel. He attempted to correct the gyroplane's right roll by moving the control stick to the left, however, the aileron movement did not subside the roll. He reported that in hindsight, opening the throttle and right rudder application may have subsided the roll, "but my mental preparedness was biased to preventing a ground loop, not a dynamic rollover". However, the gyroplane continued to roll right and impacted the ground. The gyroplane came to rest on the runway and sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, right wing, and the empennage. The pilot reported that his lack of experience in the gyroplane model contributed to the accident, because the critical angle was exceeded in this gyroplane more quickly than other gyroplanes that he was accustomed to flying. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N12680](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N12680), registered now, S/N G-67, built 1932 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PITCAIRN PA 18 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Pitcairn PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitcairn-pa-18) (registry code 7180602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Kinner R5 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/kinner-r5-series) (registry code 37504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane - Serial number: G-67 - Year built: 1932 - Airframe hours: 600 - Engines: KINNER R55 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 2016 - Departed: PNE, Philadelphia, PA - Destination: PNE, Philadelphia, PA - Airport: PNE, Northeast Philadelphia, runway 33, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 15, 2016; seat: none; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 17,000 total, 4 in this make and model, 7,670 as pilot in command, 175 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KPNE ## 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 20161118023459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161118023459A), Nov 18, 2016: Pitcairn PA-18, Philadelphia, PA, Substantial damage. When landing on runway 33, just at touchdown, the pilot lost control, causing the prop and rotor blades to strike the ground. The right landing gear partially… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 5, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94494. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 984 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453986&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - 6120.1 Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453987&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=6120.1%20Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453988&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%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.