# NTSB LAX04CA014: Mayfield RAF 2000, N4132R, Buckeye, AZ, October 16, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 16, 2003, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Buckeye, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.420833, -112.686386
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4208&lon=-112.6864&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 58171
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58171/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA014

## Probable cause

the pilot misjudged the landing flare.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The student pilot made a hard landing during his initial solo flight.  After a normal traffic pattern, he rolled out on final approach.  When he was over the numbers, he leveled off, reduced power, and brought the stick back to flare.  The gyroplane was at 5 miles per hour (mph) and 6 feet above ground level (agl).  The tailwheel struck first, followed by the right main gear and the main rotor blades.  The gyroplane rolled to the left and spun 180 degrees.  The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions and felt he leveled off too high.

## Factual narrative

On October 16, 2003, about 0830 mountain standard time, a Mayfield RAF 2000 experimental gyroplane, N4132R, experienced a hard landing during an initial solo flight at Buckeye Municipal Airport (BXK), Buckeye, Arizona.  A private individual was operating the flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The student pilot was not injured; the gyroplane sustained substantial damage.  The local instructional flight departed Buckeye about 0825.  Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was attempting his first solo flight.  After a normal traffic pattern, he rolled out on final approach.  When he was over the numbers, he leveled off, reduced power, and brought the stick back to flare.  The gyroplane was at 5 miles per hour (mph) and 6 feet above ground level (agl).  The tail wheel struck first, followed by the right main gear and the main rotor blades.  The gyroplane rolled to the left and spun 180 degrees.  The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions and felt he leveled off too high during the flare.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4132R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4132R-2018-02-14), registration cancelled 2018-02-14, S/N H2-96-7-212, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Mayfield RAF 2000
- Registry model: [Mayfield James P III RAF 2000](https://openairdocs.org/model/mayfield-james-p-iii-raf-2000) (registry code 05603CZ) (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: 112967212
- Engines: Subaru EJ-22 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Mayfield
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: BXK, Buckeye, AZ
- Destination: BXK, Buckeye, AZ
- Airport: BXK, Buckeye Municipal, runway 17

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; student; medical: class 3; flight hours: 53 total, 53 in this make and model, 36 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20031016036769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031016036769A), Oct 16, 2003: Amtr RAF2000, Buckeye, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Following local dual flight with instructor, pilot let out instructor, strapped 100 pounds of ballast in aircraft and returned to runway for local solo…

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.

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