# NTSB GAA19CA232: Pavel Vagner TANGO2, N857UV, Cobden, IL, April 30, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 30, 2019, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Cobden, IL - Coordinates: 37.534786, -89.252728 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5348&lon=-89.2527&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 20, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99345 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA232 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99345/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99345 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA232 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed during the approach, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Pavel Vagner TANGO2, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05637KF), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Pavel Vagner TANGO2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05637KF), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Pavel Vagner TANGO2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05637KF), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Pavel Vagner TANGO2, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05637KF), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Pavel Vagner TANGO2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05637KF), [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: [Pavel Vagner TANGO2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05637KF), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was working toward his gyroplane rating and had received a solo endorsement. He reported that, during approach, he turned from base to final and that the airspeed then decreased. He added that the gyroplane "abruptly settled" and then landed hard on the dirt surface. The rotor blades struck the ground, and the gyroplane came to rest upright. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and the rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the gyroplane was working toward his gyroplane rating and had received a solo endorsement. He reported that during approach, he turned from base to final, and the airspeed decreased. The gyroplane "abruptly settled," and landed hard on the dirt surface. The rotor blades struck the ground and the gyroplane came to rest upright. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and the rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N857UV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N857UV-2022-07-30), registration cancelled 2022-07-30, S/N 000017, built 2019 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PAVEL VAGNER TANGO2 - Registry model: [Pavel Vagner TANGO2](https://openairdocs.org/model/pavel-vagner-tango2) (registry code 05637KF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Yamaha ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/yamaha-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 80000, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 000017 - Year built: 2019 - Airframe hours: 42.2 - Engines: Yamaha 1049cc 130 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 2, 2018 - Departed: Cobden, IL - Destination: Cobden, IL - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 20, 2019; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 600 total, 18 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 11 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KCGI, 24 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 20190430003629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190430003629A), Apr 30, 2019: Pavel Vagner TANGO2, Cobden, IL, Destroyed. The pilot stated, he was on base turn to his private airport with wind in his face at too low of an airspeed. The pilot stated when he turned to line-up with… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 18, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99345. 6.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 6.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474235&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474236&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.