# NTSB GAA17CA258: Autogyro Calidus, N991TC, Stevensville, MD, May 4, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 4, 2017, 15:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Stevensville, MD - Coordinates: 38.976665, -76.33139 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9767&lon=-76.3314&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95111 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA258 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95111/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95111 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA258 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper takeoff procedure, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Autogyro USA CALIDUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=1200700), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Autogyro USA CALIDUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=1200700), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Autogyro USA CALIDUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=1200700), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Rotorcraft flight control: main rotor control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046710): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Autogyro USA CALIDUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046710/cases.md?model=1200700), [All aircraft, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046710/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: [Autogyro USA CALIDUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1200700), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: [Autogyro USA CALIDUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1200700), [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: [Autogyro USA CALIDUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=1200700), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the gyrocopter reported that, during the takeoff roll, the rotor rpm was not increasing. He continued the takeoff and kept the gyrocopter on the ground to gain airspeed by not moving the stick to the full-aft position. He added that this was an "old existing airplane habit." Subsequently, during the takeoff, the gyrocopter developed a "rotor flap," and he lost directional control. The gyrocopter came to rest on its side to the left of the runway. The pilot added that not having the stick full aft prevented the rotor rpm from increasing and that the appropriate corrective action would have been to apply full-aft stick. The gyrocopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and rotors. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gyrocopter that would have precluded normal operation. The gyrocopter's Flight Manual stated that, during the takeoff roll, the pilot must "bring the control stick fully aft." ## Factual narrative The pilot of the gyrocopter reported that during the takeoff roll, the rotor RPM was not increasing. He continued the takeoff and kept the gyrocopter on the ground to gain airspeed by not moving the stick in the full aft position. He added that this was an "old existing airplane habit". Subsequently, during the takeoff the gyrocopter developed a "rotor flap" and he lost directional control. The gyrocopter came to rest on its side to the left of the runway. The pilot added that not having the stick full aft prevented the rotor RPM from increasing, and the appropriate corrective action would have been to apply full aft stick. The gyrocopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and rotors. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gyrocopter that would have precluded normal operation. The Gyrocopter's Flight Manual states that during the takeoff roll, the pilot must "bring the control stick fully aft". ## Aircraft - Registration: [N991TC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N991TC-2017-08-17), registration cancelled 2017-08-17, S/N US-C00483, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Autogyro Calidus - Registry model: [Autogyro USA CALIDUS](https://openairdocs.org/model/autogyro-usa-calidus) (registry code 1200700) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 914UL](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914ul) (registry code 55553, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane - Serial number: US-C00483 - Year built: 2017 - Airframe hours: 17.8 - Engines: Rotax 914UL reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Unknown, March 24, 2017 - Departed: W29, Stevensville, MD - Destination: W29, Stevensville, MD - Airport: W29, Bay Bridge Airport, runway 11, 2,713 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 12, 2016; seat: front; flight hours: 3,435 total, 12 in this make and model, 3,279 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 14 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KW29, 1 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 20170504006819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170504006819A), May 4, 2017: Autogyro USA LLC. AX7-77, Stevenville, MD, Substantial damage. Pilot was on takeoff roll at W29, lost control of aircraft, ran off runway, causing major damage to aircraft. Winds 110 @ 16 KTS gusting clear ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 26, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95111. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 900 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453683&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 471 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453684&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Gyrocopter Manual (item 3, .PDF, 200 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453685&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Gyrocopter%20Manual-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.