# NTSB LAX88DUQ02: Isgrigg Elite, N333JE, Tehachapi, CA, November 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: November 21, 1987, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Tehachapi, CA
- Coordinates: 35.120464, -118.509231 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1205&lon=-118.5092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25736
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88DUQ02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25736/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DUQ02

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - abort - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE HOMEBUILT GYROPLANE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE DURING TAKE-OFF ROLL ON RUNWAY 27R. THE AIRCRAFT PITCHED UP AND THEN ROLLED ON ITS LEFT SIDE. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE REPORTED THE WINDS IN THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT TO BE FROM 290 DEGREES AT 12-15 KNOTS. THE PILOT INDICATED IN HIS STATEMENT THAT HE BELIEVED HE ENCOUNTERED CYCLONIC WIND PHENOMENA KNOWN AS 'DUST DEVILS.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N333JE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N333JE-2013-06-05), registration cancelled 2013-06-05, S/N JI-1-263 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ISGRIGG ELITE
- Registry model: [Isgrigg John AIRCOMMAND 532 ELITE](https://openairdocs.org/model/isgrigg-john-aircommand-532-elite) (registry code 13027HP) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: JI1-263
- Airframe hours: 13
- Engines: ROTAX 532 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Isgrigg, John
- Registered owner: Isgrigg, John S.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, August 17, 1987, 13 hours before
- Airport: L94, Fantasy Haven, runway 27R, 5,190 × 60 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,526 total, 16 in this make and model, 2,407 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F

## 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 19871121066479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871121066479A), Nov 21, 1987: Amtrac ELITE532, Tehachapi, CA, Substantial damage. Encountered a strong wind gust on the takeoff roll. Wind tilted rotor causing rotors to strike ground on liftoff.

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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