# NTSB GAA17CA308: Robert Hamblin Autogyro Gmbh Cavalo, N721E, Fort Worth, TX, May 27, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 27, 2017, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Fort Worth, TX - Coordinates: 32.805831, -97.542503 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8058&lon=-97.5425&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95253 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA308 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95253/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95253 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA308 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robert Hamblin AUTOGYRO GMBH CAVALO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=05635NS), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Robert Hamblin AUTOGYRO GMBH CAVALO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=05635NS), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robert Hamblin AUTOGYRO GMBH CAVALO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=05635NS), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Robert Hamblin AUTOGYRO GMBH CAVALO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=05635NS), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the gyrocopter reported that, after flying over his passenger's house to take pictures, he headed back to the airport. He added that, while in level flight, he noticed that "the trees on the ground under [him were] rapidly getting closer." He initially presumed something was wrong with the engine, so he reduced throttle and then successfully applied full throttle in an attempt to troubleshoot the situation. He made a left 180° turn, and the gyrocopter struck trees and impacted terrain. The gyrocopter sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gyrocopter that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he had presumed the terrain he was flying over was flat but later realized he had flown into rising terrain. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the gyrocopter reported that after flying over his passenger's house to take pictures, he headed back to the airport. He added that while in level flight, he noticed that "the trees on the ground under [him were] rapidly getting closer". He initially presumed something was wrong with the engine, so he reduced throttle and then successfully applied full throttle in an attempt to troubleshoot the situation. He made a left 180° turn and the gyrocopter struck trees and impacted terrain. The gyrocopter sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gyrocopter that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he had presumed the terrain he was flying over was flat, but had later realized he had flown into rising terrain. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N721E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N721E-2020-02-28), registration cancelled 2020-02-28, S/N V00255, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBERT HAMBLIN AUTOGYRO GMBH CAVALO (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Robert Hamblin AUTOGYRO GMBH CAVALO](https://openairdocs.org/model/robert-hamblin-autogyro-gmbh-cavalo) (registry code 05635NS) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 914UL](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914ul) (registry code 55553, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: V00255 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 94 - Engines: Rotax 914 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Unknown, April 19, 2016 - Departed: 87TX, BLUM, TX - Destination: 50F, FORT WORTH, TX - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: minor; sport pilot, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 12, 2016; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 978 total, 78 in this make and model, 978 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 15 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,700 ft broken - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: KNFW, 6 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 20170527010989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170527010989A), May 27, 2017: Robert Hamblin AUTOGYRO GMBH CAVALO, Fort Worth, TX, Substantial damage. On 5/27/2017 at aproximately 1300 hrs PIC and passenger departed a private air strip south of blum TX. Flying to Bourland Airport (50F). As they arrived in… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 26, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95253. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 840 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453718&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453719&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Pilot's Additional Remarks (item 3, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453720&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Additional%20Remarks-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 1 photo, 295 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453721&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.