# NTSB LAX08CA110: Snobird Charger, Toledo, WA, April 11, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 11, 2008, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Toledo, WA - Coordinates: 46.477222, -122.806114 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4772&lon=-122.8061&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviaiton Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67837 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA110 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67837/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA110 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper use of the flight controls during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Immediately after takeoff the single seat gyroplane tilted forward and impacted the runway. The pilot reported to a National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he did not recall the accident. His only memory was taxiing the gyroplane in preparation for departure. A witness, who was about 1/2 mile away, observed the gyroplane through binoculars. He watched the gyroplane taxi down the runway and observed the main rotor come up to speed. The pilot performed what he thought was a normal takeoff roll, but then the gyroplane popped up into the air quicker than normal. In reaction, the pilot appeared to overcorrect, overrotating the gyroplane forward, and impacting the runway. An FAA inspector examined the gyroplane after the accident and did not find any evidence of preimpact mechanical anomalies or failures. ## Factual narrative On April 11, 2008, about 1330 Pacific daylight time, an unregistered Snobird Charger gyroplane, impacted the runway immediately after takeoff at Ed Carlson Memorial Field, Toledo, Washington. The non-certificated pilot operated the gyroplane under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot was seriously injured, and the single seat gyroplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported to a National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he did not recall the accident. His only memory was taxing the gyroplane in preparation for departure. A witness, who was about 1/2 mile away, observed the gyroplane through binoculars. He watched the gyroplane taxi down the runway and observed the main rotor come up to speed. The gyroplane performed what he thought was a normal takeoff roll, but then the gyroplane popped up into the air quicker than normal. In reaction the pilot appeared to overcorrect, overrotating the gyroplane forward, and impacting the runway. The witness had about 100 hours of experience in ultralight airplanes and was building his own gyroplane. An FAA inspector examined the gyroplane after the accident and did not find any evidence of preimpact mechanical anomalies or failures. ## Aircraft - Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Snobird Charger - Category: Gyroplane - Serial number: None - Airframe hours: 128 - Engines: Hirth 2706 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: David Hill - Registered owner: Not Registered - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: KTDO, Toledo, WA - Airport: KTDO, Ed Carlson Memorial Field, runway 23, 4,480 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: serious; medical: class 3; seat: single; flight hours: 222 total, 128 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.44 inHg - Observed at: KCLs 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.