# NTSB GAA18CA217: Smith Dennis P Magni M24, N3PW, La Grange, TX, April 14, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 14, 2018, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: La Grange, TX - Coordinates: 29.901666, -96.947776 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9017&lon=-96.9478&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-into takeoff position: 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): 97059 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA217 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97059/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97059 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA217 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control while taxiing onto the runway in gusting wind conditions. ## 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: [Smith Dennis P MAGNI M24, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=05630H6), [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: [Smith Dennis P MAGNI M24, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05630H6), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Smith Dennis P MAGNI M24, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05630H6), [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. - [Taxi-into takeoff position: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Smith Dennis P MAGNI M24, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05630H6), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Taxi-into takeoff position: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Smith Dennis P MAGNI M24, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05630H6), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Taxi: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Smith Dennis P MAGNI M24, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=05630H6), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The gyroplane pilot reported that, during taxi to the runway for takeoff, he began the pre-rotation of the rotor. As he turned the gyroplane to the right onto the runway, a "strong gust" of wind tilted the gyroplane to the left, and the rotor struck the ground. Subsequently, the gyroplane came to rest on its left side. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 320° at 17 knots, gusting 26 knots. The gyroplane was departing runway 34. ## Factual narrative The gyroplane pilot reported that, during taxi to the runway for takeoff, he began the pre-rotation of the rotor. He added that, as he turned the gyroplane to the right onto the runway, a "strong gust" of wind tilted the gyroplane to the left, and the rotor struck the ground. Subsequently, the gyroplane came to rest on its left side. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 320° at 17 knots, gusting 26 knots. The gyroplane was departing runway 34. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3PW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3PW-2018-08-22), registration cancelled 2018-08-22, S/N 24-10-5934, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SMITH DENNIS P MAGNI M24 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Smith Dennis P MAGNI M24](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-dennis-p-magni-m24) (registry code 05630H6) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 24-10-5934 - Year built: 2011 - Airframe hours: 650 - Engines: Rotax 914 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 3T5, La Grange, TX - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 3T5, Fayette Rgnl Air Center, runway 34, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private, sport pilot, foreign; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,550 total, 450 in this make and model, 1,550 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 17 knots, gusting 26 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: K3T5 ## 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 20180414009709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180414009709A), Apr 14, 2018: Smith Dennis P MAGNI M24, La Grange, TX, Substantial damage. Statement from the pilot Just after 1:00 pm I decided to leave the fly-in and taxied to take off on runway 34. Weather was clear with strong winds from the… ## 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=97059. 7.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 6.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463916&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 591 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463917&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.