# NTSB LAX03LA022: Lewis Barnett J4B, N23152, Vacaville, CA, November 4, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 3, 2002, 17:06 local (Nov 4, 2002, 01:06 UTC) - Place: Vacaville, CA - Coordinates: 38.376667, -121.963333 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3767&lon=-121.9633&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56017 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA022 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56017/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA022 ## Probable cause An in-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - remedial action - not successful, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N23152](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23152-2007-04-11), registration cancelled 2007-04-11, S/N 267, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Lewis Barnett J4B - Registry model: [Lewis Robert C BARNETT J4B](https://openairdocs.org/model/lewis-robert-c-barnett-j4b) (registry code 05626SS) (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: 267 - Airframe hours: 148 - Engines: Lycoming O-235/C 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert C. Lewis - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2002, 8 hours before - Departed: VCB, Vacaville, CA - Destination: VCB - Airport: VCB, Nut Tree ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 7, 2002; seat: single; flight hours: 374 total, 133 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 4 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: suu, 7 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 20021103031569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021103031569A), Nov 3, 2002: Amtr BARNETTJ4B, Vacaville, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The amateur-built gyrocopter was flying straight and level at 1000 feet AGL when a sudden 40 degree nose up condition occurred. The pilot pushed the… 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.