# NTSB LAX07CA262: Wessel Vortex, N546SW, Mesa, AZ, September 1, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 1, 2007, 15:46 local (22:46 UTC) - Place: Mesa, AZ - Coordinates: 33.511665, -111.698333 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5117&lon=-111.6983&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66600 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA262 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66600/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA262 ## Probable cause Failure of the muffler's mounting strap and subsequent loss of engine power due to propeller blade separation during cruise flight. A contributing factor was the unsuitable terrain for a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal - exhaust system,muffler - separation (cause) - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - autorotation - performed, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - ravine (contributing factor) - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) ## Analysis The gyrocopter collided with high vegetation and rough terrain during a forced autorotation following the in-flight separation of a propeller blade. The pilot reported that the muffler's mounting strap broke during cruise flight, which caused one composite pusher propeller blade to separate. The pilot autorotated to a forced landing in a ravine. During touchdown the gyrocopter rolled over upon impacting 5-foot-high bushes. ## Factual narrative On September 1, 2007, about 1546 mountain standard time, an experimental Wessel Vortex, N546SW, made a forced landing in rough terrain about 4 miles north of the Falcon Field airport, Mesa, Arizona. The private pilot was the owner and operator of the homebuilt gyrocopter, and it was substantially damaged upon rolling over during impact with 5-foot-high brush in a ravine. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from Mesa about 1445. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that during cruise flight he heard a loud noise and felt a vibration. Thereafter, the rotorcraft lost power when one of the pusher propeller blades separated, and he autorotated. The pilot additionally reported an examination of the engine assembly revealed that the muffler's mounting strap had failed, and this event resulted in the subsequent separation of one composite propeller blade. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N546SW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N546SW), registered now, S/N MEW061, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Wessel Vortex - Registry model: [Wessel Marvin E JR VORTEX](https://openairdocs.org/model/wessel-marvin-e-jr-vortex) (registry code 05622U5) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 618](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-618) (registry code 55578, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: MEW061 - Engines: Rotax 618 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Marvin E. Wessel, Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: FFZ, Mesa, AZ - Destination: FFZ, Mesa, AZ - Airport: FFZ, Falcon Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 757 total, 66 in this make and model, 36 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20070901021709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070901021709A), Sep 1, 2007: Amtr VORTEX, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) While operating in the Mesa, AZ area on a pleasure flight, the aircraft made a loud noise and began vibrating violently, at the same time losing thrust.… 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.