# NTSB GAA19CA101: Clifford E Massey AR-1, N923DJ, Anahuac, TX, December 15, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 15, 2018, 11:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Anahuac, TX - Coordinates: 29.770555, -94.663055 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7706&lon=-94.6631&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98787 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA101 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98787/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98787 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA101 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions. ## 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: [Clifford E Massey AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05634ZX), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Clifford E Massey AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05634ZX), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Clifford E Massey AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05634ZX), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Clifford E Massey AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05634ZX), [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. - [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Clifford E Massey AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05634ZX), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500); cases with it: [Clifford E Massey AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=05634ZX), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Clifford E Massey AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05634ZX), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Clifford E Massey AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05634ZX), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Clifford E Massey AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05634ZX), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Clifford E Massey AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=05634ZX), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the gyroplane reported that, while practicing simulated engine-out landings, the gyroplane experienced a sudden loss of lift during the flare due to "possible strong wind shear." The gyroplane then descended about 4 ft, and he attempted to recover with full power, but the gyroplane landed hard. Subsequently, the propeller struck the ground, the gyroplane bounced, and the rotor impacted the ground and sheared off. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the main rotor and mast. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the weather at the airport, about the time of the accident, was wind from 300° at 12 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot landed the gyroplane on runway 35. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the gyroplane reported that, while practicing simulated engine out landings, he "experienced" a sudden loss of lift during the flare due to a "possible strong wind shear". The gyroplane then dropped about 4 ft vertically, he attempted to recover with full power, but the gyroplane landed hard during. Subsequently, the propeller struck the ground, the gyroplane "bounced" left, and the rotor impacted the ground and sheared. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the main rotor and mast. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported the weather at the accident airport, about the time of the accident, was wind 300° at 12 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot landed the gyroplane on runway 35. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N923DJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N923DJ), registered now, S/N 0002, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CLIFFORD E MASSEY AR-1 - Registry model: [Clifford E Massey AR-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/clifford-e-massey-ar-1) (registry code 05634ZX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0002 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 195 - Engines: Rotax 912UL/S 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 21, 2018 - Departed: T00, ANAHUAC, TX - Destination: T00, ANAHUAC, TX - Airport: T00, Chambers County, runway 35, 1,900 × 300 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; flight instructor, sport pilot, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 11, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,428 total, 161 in this make and model, 1,930 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Turbulence: Moderate - Observed at: KEFD, 28 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 20181215022269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181215022269A), Dec 15, 2018: Clifford E Massey AR-1, Anahuac, TX, Substantial damage. While practicing autorotations on the grass runway 35 at Chambers County (T00), during the third landing, the pilot experienced a sudden loss of lift during… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 1, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98787. 693 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 464 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471461&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 229 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471462&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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.