# NTSB GAA18CA026: John A Brewer ELA Aviacion 10 Ecli, N230MG, Bristol, TN, October 26, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 26, 2017, 12:40 local (16:40 UTC) - Place: Bristol, TN - Coordinates: 36.468612, -82.415275 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4686&lon=-82.4153&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96252 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA026 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96252/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96252 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA026 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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: [John A Brewer ELA AVIACION 10 ECLI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=05635ED), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [John A Brewer ELA AVIACION 10 ECLI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05635ED), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [John A Brewer ELA AVIACION 10 ECLI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05635ED), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the gyroplane reported that, when he returned to the airport for landing, the wind was calm. After touchdown, the gyroplane was on a slow roll when the tower controller asked the pilot if he wanted to exit at intersection Charlie. The pilot was about to reply to the controller when the gyroplane unexpectedly tipped over and came to rest on its side. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal and vertical stabilizers. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the gyroplane reported that when he returned to the airport for landing, the winds were calm. After touchdown, the gyroplane was on a slow roll when the tower controller asked him if he wanted to exit at intersection Charlie. The pilot was about to reply to the controller when the gyroplane unexpectedly tipped over and came to rest on its side. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal and vertical stabilizers. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N230MG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N230MG-2020-11-30), registration cancelled 2020-11-30, S/N 1014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JOHN A BREWER ELA AVIACION 10 ECLI (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [John A Brewer ELA AVIACION 10 ECLI](https://openairdocs.org/model/john-a-brewer-ela-aviacion-10-ecli) (registry code 05635ED) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1014 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 104 - Engines: Rotax 914 UL 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 19, 2017 - Departed: TRI, Bristol, TN - Destination: TRI, Bristol, TN - Airport: TRI, Tri-Cities, runway 23, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, Onboard weather, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 25, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,570 total, 24 in this make and model, 1,480 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KTRI, 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 20171026024649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171026024649A), Oct 26, 2017: John A Brewer ELA AVIACION 10 ECLI, Blountville, TN, Substantial damage. Aircraft certificated at a max front seat weight of 110KG/242LBS. Pilots last recorded medical reported him at 320LBS. Pilot claimed his current weight is 290.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 28, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96252. 975 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 850 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461358&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461359&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.