# NTSB GAA18CA114: Wayne Miller Sport Copter II, N767LW, Van Nuys, CA, January 29, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 29, 2018, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Van Nuys, CA - Coordinates: 34.20972, -118.489997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2097&lon=-118.4900&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96666 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA114 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96666/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96666 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA114 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to takeoff in gusting wind conditions with insufficient rotor rpm. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Wayne Miller SPORT COPTER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=056349A), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Wayne Miller SPORT COPTER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=056349A), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/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: [Wayne Miller SPORT COPTER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056349A), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Wayne Miller SPORT COPTER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=056349A), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Wayne Miller SPORT COPTER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=056349A), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Wayne Miller SPORT COPTER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056349A), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Wayne Miller SPORT COPTER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056349A), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Wayne Miller SPORT COPTER II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056349A), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot of the experimental amateur-built gyroplane, during the takeoff roll on runway 34 in gusting wind conditions, the pilot did not allow the rotor rpm to adequately increase. He advanced the throttle and the nose pitched up. The gyroplane exited the left side of the runway and the rotor blades struck the propeller. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. The METAR at the airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 350° at 17kts gusting to 22kts. The pilot reported that this accident could have been prevented if he had confirmed the proper rotor rpm. 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 in the experimental amateur-built gyroplane, during the takeoff roll on runway 34 in gusting wind conditions, the pilot did not allow the rotor revolutions per minute (RPM) to adequately increase. He advanced the throttle and the nose pitched up. The gyroplane exited the left side of the runway and the rotor blades struck the propeller. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. The METAR at the airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 350° at 17kts gusting to 22kts. Per the National Transportation Safety Board's Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot reported in the Safety Recommendation section that, this accident could have been prevented if he had confirmed the proper rotor RPM. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N767LW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N767LW), registered now, S/N SC009, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WAYNE MILLER SPORT COPTER II (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Wayne Miller SPORT COPTER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/wayne-miller-sport-copter-ii) (registry code 056349A) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-series) (registry code 41881, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: SC009 - Year built: 2017 - Airframe hours: 43 - Engines: Ly-Con IO- 360-SCI 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 19, 2018 - Departed: VNY, Van Nuys, CA - Destination: VNY, Van Nuys, CA - Airport: VNY, Van Nuys, runway 34R, 4,013 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 4, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 15,000 total, 23 in this make and model, 3,400 as pilot in command, 235 in the last 90 days, 78 in the last 30 days, 15 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 17 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KVNY ## 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 20180129000209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180129000209A), Jan 29, 2018: Sport Copter, Inc SPORT COPTER II, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft initiated takeoff roll in gusty conditions. Prior to becoming airborne, the rotor blades started to flap. Pilot responded by pushing the stick… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 16, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96666. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463299&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 146 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463300&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.