# NTSB GAA18CA179: Lynn Perry Cavalon, N442AG, Haverhill, NH, March 26, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 26, 2018, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Haverhill, NH - Coordinates: 44.080001, -72.007774 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0800&lon=-72.0078&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): 96928 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA179 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96928/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96928 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA179 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a rejected takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the binding of the control stick, for an undetermined reason, which precipitated the rejected takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Lynn Perry CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05636LC), [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: [Lynn Perry CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05636LC), [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. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Lynn Perry CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05636LC), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Lynn Perry CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05636LC), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Lynn Perry CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05636LC), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Lynn Perry CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=05636LC), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Lynn Perry CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=05636LC), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the gyroplane reported that, during the takeoff roll, after the front landing gear became light, he attempted to push the control stick forward, but was unable. He then used both hands in an attempt to push the stick forward. He realized he could not move the control stick forward and therefore could not control the gyroplane. He rejected the takeoff by reducing power, the gyroplane veered to the left, and the rotor struck the runway. Subsequently, the gyroplane rolled onto its left side, skidded down the runway, exited the left side of the runway, and impacted a snowbank. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the rotor system and fuselage. The pilot reported that he removed the rotor blade by removing the center pivoting bolt, and in doing so, the rotor head moved forward and freed the stick. The Federal Aviation Administration sent two inspectors to examine the gyroplane. During the visit, the rotor head moved freely in all directions with no evidence of binding or restriction, and no discrepancies were noted with the torque tube or cabling in the keel tube. The brake and trim controls were also moved in various sequences and control positions, but there were no discrepancies found. The FAA inspector added that, with an inadvertent and or unnoticed activation of full aft trim prior to beginning the takeoff roll, there could be enough resistance created to generate the conditions the pilot experienced. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the gyroplane reported that, during the takeoff roll, after the front landing gear became light, he attempted to push the control stick forward, but was unable. He then used both hands in an attempt to push the stick forward. He realized he could not move the control stick forward and therefore could not control the gyroplane. He rejected the takeoff by reducing power, the gyroplane veered to the left, and the rotor struck the runway. Subsequently, the gyroplane rolled onto its left side, skidded down the runway, exited the left side of the runway, and impacted a snowbank. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the rotor system and fuselage. The pilot reported that he removed the rotor blade by removing the center pivoting bolt, and in doing so, the rotor head moved forward and freed the stick. The Federal Aviation Administration sent two inspectors to examine the gyroplane. During the visit, the rotor head moved freely in all directions with no evidence of binding or restriction, and no discrepancies were noted with the torque tube or cabling in the keel tube. The brake and trim controls were also moved in various sequences and control positions, but there were no discrepancies found. The FAA inspector added that, with an inadvertent and or unnoticed activation of full aft trim prior to beginning the takeoff roll, there could be enough resistance created to generate the conditions the pilot experienced. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N442AG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N442AG), registered now, S/N V00311, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LYNN PERRY CAVALON (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Lynn Perry CAVALON](https://openairdocs.org/model/lynn-perry-cavalon) (registry code 05636LC) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 914UL](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914ul) (registry code 55553, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: V00311 - Year built: 2017 - Airframe hours: 57.8 - Engines: Rotax 914UL 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 2017 - Departed: 5B9, Haverhill, NH - Destination: 5B9, Haverhill, NH - Airport: 5B9, Dean Memorial, runway 01, 2,511 × 58 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private, sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 4, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,831 total, 77 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.75 inHg - Observed at: K1P1, 21 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 20180326010229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180326010229A), Mar 26, 2018: Autogyro CAVALON, Haverhill, NH, Substantial damage. On 3/26/2018 N442AG failed to obtain flight after the takeoff roll. The PIC was sole occupant. Weather conditions at that time were not a factor. During the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 16, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96928. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 834 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463246&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident pictures (item 2, .PDF, 428 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463247&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20pictures-Master.PDF - FAA site visit roc (item 3, .PDF, 139 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463248&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20SITE%20VISIT%20ROC-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.