# NTSB GAA19CA359: Autogyro Cavalon, N882M, Nephi, UT, June 19, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 18, 2019, 20:20 local (Jun 19, 2019, 02:20 UTC) - Place: Nephi, UT - Coordinates: 39.747501, -111.871391 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7475&lon=-111.8714&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99661 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA359 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99661/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99661 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA359 ## Probable cause The pilot's insufficient rudder input during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of yaw control and a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [William S Harten CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=05638JH), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [William S Harten CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05638JH), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [William S Harten CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=05638JH), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [William S Harten CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=05638JH), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [William S Harten CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05638JH), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [William S Harten CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05638JH), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [William S Harten CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=05638JH), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during takeoff, he rotated around 55 knots and that the gyroplane instantly yawed left about 45°. The pilot reported that he was "behind the power curve" and that the gyroplane could not climb or gain airspeed. The gyroplane began to descend, the pilot turned left, and the gyroplane landed hard and rolled to the right side. The pilot added that he believed that the gyroplane initially yawed left during the climb because of the "P-factor due to [a newly installed] more powerful engine" and that he failed to add right rudder input to correct. He added that it was his first test flight with the new engine. 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. ## Factual narrative The gyroplane pilot reported that, during takeoff, he rotated around 55 knots and the gyroplane instantly yawed to the left about 45°. The pilot reported that he was "behind the power curve" and could not climb or gain airspeed. The gyroplane began to descend, the pilot turned left, and the gyroplane landed hard and rolled to the right side. The pilot added that, during the initial climb yaw, he believed it was because of the "P-factor due to [a newly installed] more powerful engine" and that he failed to add right rudder input to correct. He added that it was his first test flight with the new engine. 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N882M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N882M-2022-07-30), registration cancelled 2022-07-30, S/N V00360, built 2019 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AUTOGYRO GMBH Cavalon - Registry model: [William S Harten CAVALON](https://openairdocs.org/model/william-s-harten-cavalon) (registry code 05638JH) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 915 IS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-915-is-series) (registry code 55620, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: V00360 - Year built: 2019 - Airframe hours: 13.5 - Engines: Rotax 915 130 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Unknown, April 17, 2019 - Departed: U14, Nephi, UT - Destination: U14, Nephi, UT - Airport: U14, Nephi Muni, runway 35, 6,300 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, waiver time limited special; last flight review November 7, 2018; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 227.5 total, 82.6 in this make and model, 126.8 as pilot in command, 7.3 in the last 90 days, 7.3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KPVU, 29 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 20190618007489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190618007489A), Jun 18, 2019: William S Harten CAVALON, Nephi, UT, Substantial damage. After several hours of delays, the pilot was confident that the aircraft was ready for its first test flight with him at the controls. The pilot had never… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 24, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99661. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474471&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 269 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474472&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.