# NTSB LAX02LA149: Sierra RAF 2000 GTX-SE, N256SB, Lompoc, CA, May 5, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 5, 2002, 13:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Lompoc, CA - Coordinates: 34.665, -120.466667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6650&lon=-120.4667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 13, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54637 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA149 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54637/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54637 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA149 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to compensate for wind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, takeoff - weather condition - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The winds were reported ast 270 degrees at 14 knots about the time when the accident occurred. The takeoff was conducted on runway 25. According to the pilot, he increased power to initiate takeoff with a corresponding increase in rotor speed from 208 rpm to above 212 rpm. The aircraft began to roll about 5 mph with the increase in power. As the aircraft lifted off, it started to "lean to the right" and he took corrective action with left stick input that for a half a second was effective. However, the aircraft conitnued in a right turn, despite the control input. The pilot reported that the control stick seemed to be stuck or frozen in place, and he was not able to move he stick to the left. The aircraft continued in the right turn, until the rotor blades struck the ground. The aircraft slid off the right, and came to rest along the right side of the runway. ## Factual narrative On May 5, 2002, at 1345 Pacific daylight time, a Sierra RAF 2000 GTX-SE, N256SB, experienced rotor contact with the ground and the vertical fin during takeoff at the Lompoc, California, airport. The private-certificated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The experimental, amateur-built, gyrocopter was substantially damaged. The gyrocopter was being operated by the owner under 14 CFR Part 91 and was departing for a local area personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The winds were reported ast 270 degrees at 14 knots when the accident occurred. The takeoff was conducted on runway 25. According to the pilot, he increased power to initiate takeoff with a corresponding increase in rotor speed from 208 rpm to above 212 rpm. The aircraft began to roll about 5 mph with the increase in power. As the aircraft lifted off, it started to "lean to the right" and he took corrective action with left stick input that for a half a second was effective. However, the aircraft conitnued in a right turn, despite the control input. The pilot reported that the control stick seemed to be stuck or frozen in place, and he was not able to move the stick to the left. The aircraft continued in the right turn, until the rotor blades struck the ground. The aircraft slid off the right, and came to rest along the right side of the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N256SB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N256SB-2018-01-12), registration cancelled 2018-01-12, S/N H2-97-8-294, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Sierra RAF 2000 GTX-SE - Registry model: [Sierra Paul F RAF 2000 GTX-SE](https://openairdocs.org/model/sierra-paul-f-raf-2000-gtx-se) (registry code 05605R1) (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: H2-978294 - Airframe hours: 168 - Engines: Subaru EJ22 130 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Paul F. Sierra - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 21, 2002, 10 hours before - Departed: LPC, Lompoc, CA - Airport: LPC, Lompoc, runway 25, 3,620 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 150 total, 99 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: LPC ## 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 20020505007799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020505007799A), May 5, 2002: Amtr RAF2000GTXSE, Lompoc, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On may 5, 2002, at 1345 pacific daylight time, a sierra raf 2000 gtx-se, N256SB, experienced rotor contact with the ground and the vertical fin during… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 20, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54637. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40265277&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.