# NTSB GAA18CA049: John Roscoe Autogyro Cavalon, N953LS, Casa Grande, AZ, November 19, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 18, 2017, 17:45 local (Nov 19, 2017, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Casa Grande, AZ - Coordinates: 32.953609, -111.769447 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9536&lon=-111.7694&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 21, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96340 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA049 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96340/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96340 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA049 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in loss of directional control and a subsequent runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [John Roscoe AUTOGYRO CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05632XP), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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: [John Roscoe AUTOGYRO CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05632XP), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 Roscoe AUTOGYRO CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05632XP), [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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [John Roscoe AUTOGYRO CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05632XP), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [John Roscoe AUTOGYRO CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=05632XP), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [John Roscoe AUTOGYRO CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05632XP), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [John Roscoe AUTOGYRO CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=05632XP), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during landing, the right wheel touched down first on the runway, and the gyroplane veered to the right. He added that, the "aircraft bounced from one wheel to the other" multiple times until the main rotor blade struck the runway. The gyroplane then rolled to the right, slid off the runway, and came to rest on its left side. A postcrash fire ignited in the engine compartment and consumed the gyroplane. The gyroplane was destroyed. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during landing, the right wheel touched down first on the runway and the gyroplane veered to the right. He added that, the "aircraft bounced from one wheel to the other" multiple times until the main rotor blade struck the runway. The gyroplane then rolled to the right, slid off the runway and came to rest on its left side. A post-crash fire ignited in the engine compartment and consumed the gyroplane. The gyroplane was destroyed. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N953LS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N953LS-2018-06-21), registration cancelled 2018-06-21, S/N V00110, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JOHN ROSCOE AUTOGYRO CAVALON (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [John Roscoe AUTOGYRO CAVALON](https://openairdocs.org/model/john-roscoe-autogyro-cavalon) (registry code 05632XP) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 914 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914-series) (registry code 55575, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: V00110 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 241 - Engines: Rotax 914 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 18, 2017 - Departed: E77, SAN MANUEL, AZ - Destination: CGZ, Casa Grande, AZ - Airport: CGZ, Casa Grande Muni, runway 05, 5,200 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, unknown; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 300 total, 200 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 300° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KCHD, 19 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 20171118019189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171118019189A), Nov 18, 2017: John Roscoe AUTOGYRO CAVALON, Casa Grande, AZ, Substantial damage. On November 18, 2017, about 16:15 local mountain standard time, an experimental category operating amateur built aircraft builder John Roscoe model auto gyro… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96340. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 962 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459554&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 641 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459555&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF - Roc (item 3, .PDF, 237 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459556&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=ROC-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.