# NTSB GAA18CA213: Hawley Richard A1B, N5249H, Lincoln, CA, April 13, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 12, 2018, 17:00 local (Apr 13, 2018, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Lincoln, CA - Coordinates: 38.914165, -121.353057 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9142&lon=-121.3531&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97031 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA213 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97031/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97031 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA213 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during 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: [Hawley Richard A1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=13017PN), [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: [Hawley Richard A1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=13017PN), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Hawley Richard A1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=13017PN), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Hawley Richard A1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=13017PN), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Hawley Richard A1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=13017PN), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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: [Hawley Richard A1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=13017PN), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Hawley Richard A1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=13017PN), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that this was his first flight in the accident gyroplane. He added that, during takeoff from runway 15, which was 6,001 ft long by 100 ft wide, he centered the gyroplane on the runway and increased engine rpm and rotor speed. Around 120 rotor rpm during the takeoff roll, he pulled back on the cyclic. Due to his injuries sustained in the accident, he does not recall what occurred afterward. The gyroplane came to rest on its right side on the right side of the runway and sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 260° at 7 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 15 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 330° at 5 knots. The gyrocopter was departing runway 15. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that this was his first flight in the accident gyroplane. He added that, during takeoff from runway 15, which was 6,001 ft long by 100 ft wide, he centered the gyroplane on the runway and increased engine rpm and rotor speed. Around 120 rotor rpm during the takeoff roll, he pulled back on the cyclic. He further added that, due to his injuries sustained in the accident, he does not recall what occurred afterwards. The gyroplane came to rest on its right side on the right side of the runway and sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 260° at 7 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 15 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 330° at 5 knots. The gyrocopter was departing runway 15. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5249H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5249H), registered now, S/N 1735, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HAWLEY RICHARD A1B (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Hawley Richard A1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/hawley-richard-a1b) (registry code 13017PN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1735 - Year built: 1991 - Airframe hours: 51 - Engines: Rotax 532 64 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 10, 2018 - Departed: LHM, Lincoln, CA - Destination: LHM, Lincoln, CA - Airport: LHM, Lincoln Rgnl/Karl Harder Field, runway 15, 6,001 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review April 7, 2018; seat: single; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 76 total, 60 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: KLHM ## 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 20180412003599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180412003599A), Apr 12, 2018: Hawley Richard A1B, Lincoln, CA, Destroyed. On 4/12/18 an experimental aircraft, N5249H crashed at Lincoln regional airport klhm. The pilot was taken to the hospital with some injuries but released… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 12, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97031. 4.0 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=40463884&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 560 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463885&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.