LAX03LA022

The pilot experienced an in-flight loss of control during approach for landing, and the gyroplane impacted the ground during the uncontrolled descent. The pilot, who had built the experimental gyroplane, had been flying for 36 minutes when he entered the traffic pattern for landing. At 80 miles per hour, the gyroplane suddenly pitched upward. For remedial action, the pilot reduced engine power and the gyroplane started rotating in a clockwise direction. The pilot then reduced cyclic and applied engine power to lower the nose and arrest the spin. This technique did not work. The nose would not drop, and the added engine power increased the spin rate. As the gyroplane neared ground level the pilot applied full engine power to decrease the descent rate and to obtain forward motion; however, the gyroplane touched down hard.

On November 3, 2002, about 1706 Pacific standard time, a Lewis Barnett J4B, N23152, descended into an open field approaching the Nut Tree Airport, Vacaville, California. The experimental rotorcraft (gyroplane) was substantially damaged, and the private pilot received minor injuries. The rotorcraft was being operated on a personal flight by the pilot/builder under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for the planned local area flight that began from Vacaville about 1630.

The pilot indicated to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that when he was on the base leg to the airport, at 80 miles per hour, his gyroplane suddenly pitched upward. The pilot stated that he reduced engine power and the gyroplane started rotating in a clockwise direction. He then reduced cyclic and applied engine power to lower the nose and arrest the spin. This technique did not work. The nose would not drop, and the added engine power increased the spin rate. As the gyroplane neared ground level, the pilot applied full engine power to decrease the descent rate and to obtain forward motion. The gyroplane made a hard impact with the ground while in a tail low pitch attitude.