# NTSB IAD03CA062: William Stevens RAF2000, N186S, Stoutsville, OH, June 22, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 22, 2003, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Stoutsville, OH - Coordinates: 39.759166, -82.661666 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7592&lon=-82.6617&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: COLUMBUS FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57393 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD03CA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57393/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD03CA062 ## Probable cause Separation of the engine computer wire and connector, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - electrical system,electric wiring - separation (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Roll over, emergency landing ## Analysis The gyrocopter's engine lost partial power while in cruise flight. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude, and made a forced landing to a hillside, where the gyrocopter rolled over. The pilot, who was also the builder, determined that the axle shock absorber on the main landing gear strut had put pressure on the engine computer wire. Continuous movement of the strut had pulled the wire and connecter apart. The pilot replaced the wire and connecter, and re-routed the cable, plus put a Tyrap around the connecter. The engine was subsequently started without difficulty. ## Factual narrative On June 22, 2003, at 1200 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt RAF 2000 gyrocopter, N186S, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after a partial loss of power near Stoutsville, Ohio. The certificated private pilot/owner/builder and the passenger were not injured. No flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at Pickaway County Memorial Airport (CYO), Circleville, Ohio, about 1145. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot said that he was in cruise flight about 1,000 feet above the ground when the engine had a reduction in power, which he described as being similar to when the throttle is pulled back to the idle position. The pilot checked the throttle, turned on the second fuel pump and checked the gauges, which were all indicating normal. The fuel gauge indicated there were about 6 gallons on board. The pilot maintained a best-glide-speed of 60 miles per hour (mph), and landed the gyrocopter on the side of a hill. After landing, the gyrocopter rolled over. The pilot examined the gyrocopter after the accident and located the cause of the power reduction in flight. The axle shock absorber on the main landing gear strut, which extended down and in, about 3 inches after take off, put pressure on the engine computer wire. The computer wire was knife-connected, in heat shrink, behind the strut. Continual opening and collapsing of the strut eventually pulled the wire and connecter apart. The pilot replaced the wire and connecter, and re-routed the cable, plus put a Tyrap around the connecter. The engine was then started, and ran "great". The pilot stated that he would include an examination of the engine computer wire, along with exercising the strut, during subsequent 25-hour inspections. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed an examination of the gyrocopter, and confirmed the pilot's findings. He also reported that the main rotor system was torn off, and the tail section and main landing gear were substantially damaged. The gyrocopter and engine had accrued a total time of 123 hours at the time of the accident. Weather at Fairfield County Airport (LHQ), Lancaster, Ohio, about 13 miles northeast, was reported as winds from 340 degrees at 10 knots, visibility 10 statue miles, and clear skies. The temperature was 77 degrees F, and the dewpoint was 55 degrees F. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N186S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N186S-2003-09-23), registration cancelled 2003-09-23, S/N H2-00-11-479, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WILLIAM STEVENS RAF2000 - Registry model: [Stevens William RAF 2000 GTX SE](https://openairdocs.org/model/stevens-william-raf-2000-gtx-se) (registry code 0561033) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Subaru ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 59050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: H2-00-11-479 - Engines: Subaru EJ22 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William Stevens - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: CYO, CIRCLEVILLE, OH - Destination: 62OH, BRAMEN, OH ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 778 total, 117 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 55 °F - Observed at: LHQ 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.