# NTSB LAX05CA295: Ricardo Lopez RAF 2000 Gtxse, N282SL, Wickenburg, AZ, September 11, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 11, 2005, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Wickenburg, AZ - Coordinates: 33.968887, -112.798614 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9689&lon=-112.7986&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 62455 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA295 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62455/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA295 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to obtain and maintain an adequate airspeed and rotor speed during takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - crosswind - terrain condition - uphill - airspeed - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The gyrocopter collided with terrain and rolled over during takeoff. The pilot departed his home field with a 240-pound passenger and full load of fuel. The performance was not good, but the flight was successful. He landed on runway 05 at the destination airport uneventfully. He departed on runway 05 in no wind conditions, and flew in the local area for an hour. When he returned for landing, other aircraft in the pattern were using runway 23, which had a left 90-degree crosswind. He filled the gyrocopter with fuel, and taxied to runway 23. He started to take off and noted that the nose wasn't light. He pulled back on the control stick and the gyrocopter popped up off the ground. He thought that he was behind the power curve and nosed over to gain airspeed. He did gain some airspeed, but the gyrocopter settled to the ground. He pulled back on the control stick to prevent landing on the nose gear. The gyrocopter lost airspeed and rotor speed. It was right of centerline when a gust of wind pushed it forward and to the right. The pilot said that he felt that if he had taken off downhill, the accident would not have happened, and he would have had adequate power and control movement to maintain control. He thought that performance would have been drastically better if he had added 6 gallons of fuel instead of 14 gallons. He felt that he failed to control the gyrocopter and did not consider the problems associated with marginal performance or ways to increase that performance. The pilot said there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions. ## Factual narrative This report is based on information received by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case. For further information, please contact the NTSB Office of Public Inquiries. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N282SL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N282SL-2008-05-16), registration cancelled 2008-05-16, S/N RSL 01, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ricardo Lopez RAF 2000 GTXSE - Registry model: [Lopez Ricardo RAF 2000GXT SE](https://openairdocs.org/model/lopez-ricardo-raf-2000gxt-se) (registry code 05612Q9) (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: RSL 01 - Engines: Subaru Ej 22 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Roberto Lopez - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: E25, Wickenburg, AZ - Destination: BXK, Buckeye, AZ - Airport: E25, Wickenburg, runway 23, 5,050 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: minor; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 400 total, 130 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: PHX ## 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 20050911031459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050911031459A), Sep 11, 2005: Amtr RAF2000GTXSE, Wickenburg, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) After flying locally (E25) for approximately one (1) hour, the pilot and his passenger landed and topped off the fuel tank. The pilot taxied to runway 23… 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.