# NTSB LAX04LA132: Gillespie Sport Copter Vortex, N96XV, Yuba City, CA, February 21, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 21, 2004, 13:55 local (21:55 UTC) - Place: Yuba City, CA - Coordinates: 39.123611, -121.605278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1236&lon=-121.6053&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58787 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04LA132 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58787/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA132 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power due to the incorrect installation of the fuel line, which resulted in fuel starvation, and the pilot's failure to maintain rotor RPM, which resulted in an inflight loss of control. A factor to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience flying gyrocopters. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - fuel system,line - bent (cause) - maintenance,installation - inadequate, owner/builder (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Loss of control - in flight, emergency descent/landing - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of experience, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The gyrocopter collided with the ground in an uncontrolled descent following a loss of engine power. This was the second test flight for the gyrocopter. A witness reported that the gyrocopter flew overhead at 50 feet, with the engine sputtering. It then entered a steep descent and impacted a dry riverbed about 45 yards away. At the wreckage site, approximately 1/2 tank of fuel was present. No fuel was found in either of the two carburetors. The blades of the pusher propeller, made of carbon fiber and foam filled, were displaced from the gyrocopter and displayed cracks on the surfaces, but were otherwise intact. The main rotor was bent downward and had impacted the gear ring on the main drive shaft. The Rotax 582 engine contained oil and was rotated. The tachometer time indicated a total engine operation time of 12.2 hours. Post accident inspection of the gyrocopter revealed that a vacuum line to the pneumatic fuel pump, which is made of a soft and easily collapsible nylon reinforced vinyl material, was kinked at a 45-degree angle at its attachment fitting. The pilot had a total gyrocopter flight time of 11 hours and this was the second test flight for this gyrocopter. ## Factual narrative On February 21, 2004, at 1355 Pacific standard time, an experimental Gillespie Sport Copter Vortex gyrocopter, N96XV, impacted a dry riverbed following a loss of engine power, approximately 1 mile southeast of the Sutter County Airport, Yuba City, California. The pilot/builder was operating the gyrocopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The gyrocopter sustained substantial damage; the private pilot sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The gyrocopter departed the Sutter County Airport at an unknown time for the local, personal flight. A witness to the accident reported that he was standing in his yard. He saw the gyrocopter fly overhead at 50 feet, with the engine sputtering. It then entered a steep descent and impacted a dry riverbed about 45 yards away. At the wreckage site, approximately 1/2 tank of fuel was present; there was no fire. The National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC) reviewed excerpts of the pilot's logbook. The entries indicated that the pilot was signed off to solo on January 25, 2004. On February 8, the logbook entry stated, "First gyro solo! Test flight of vortex. 3 pattern loops." The pilot had accumulated approximately 11 hours of gyrocopter flight time prior to the accident flight. Inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the gyrocopter on February 24, 2004. The blades of the pusher propeller, made of carbon fiber and foam filled, were displaced from the gyrocopter and displayed cracks on the surfaces . The main rotor was bent downward and impacted the gear ring on the main drive shaft. The Rotax 582 engine contained oil and was rotated. One of the carburetors was displaced from the engine. Neither carburetor contained fuel. The fuel screens in each were examined; both were free of debris. The vacuum line to the pneumatic fuel pump was made of a collapsible, soft material, and was kinked at a 45-degree angle at an attachment fitting. The fuel pump was tied to the radiator hose. One spark plug was removed and was gray in color. The inspector further stated that this was the second test flight for the gyrocopter. The tachometer time indicated 12.2 hours. In the Rotax Aircraft Engines Installation Manual, page 15-1, it states that the vacuum line to the pneumatic fuel pump must be made of a stiff material. Sport Copter, the gyroplane kit manufacturer, supplies the clear, braided engine vacuum pump line. According to the manufacturer, the line was rigid enough for its intended purpose. The manufacturer did not report any other similar accidents. The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) was contacted regarding the vacuum fuel line. According to a technical specialist, it is common for homebuilders to use clear, nylon reinforced fuel lines. These lines are used due to their ease of installation and ability to withstand vibration. According to FAA Advisory Circular AC 20-27F, Certification and Operation of Amateur-Built Aircraft, "Amateur builders are free to develop their own designs or build from existing designs. We do not approve these designs and it would be impractical to develop design standards for the wide variety of design configurations, created by designers, kit manufacturers, and amateur builders." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N96XV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96XV-2009-06-08), registration cancelled 2009-06-08, S/N 096, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Gillespie Sport Copter Vortex - Registry model: [Gillespie Gregory S SPORT COPTER VORTEX](https://openairdocs.org/model/gillespie-gregory-s-sport-copter-vortex) (registry code 05615EG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 096 - Airframe hours: 1 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gregory Gillespie - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 052, Sutter County, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 23, 2002; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 130 total, 1 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 4 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: MYV, 2 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 20040221001679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040221001679A), Feb 21, 2004: Amtr SPORTCOPTER, Marysville, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) Gyro copter N96XV was flying downwind, 1 mile south of myv, about 50 feet above AGL heading north. A witness heard the engine sputtering and saw 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.