# NTSB LAX89DUJ03: Murphey Vancraft 532, N61LM, Tucson, AZ, January 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: January 15, 1989, 11:04 local (18:04 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.280094, -110.730445 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2801&lon=-110.7304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26129
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89DUJ03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26129/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DUJ03

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT DURING UNWARRANTED LOW FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE GYROCOPTER COLLIDED WITH TRANSMISSION WIRES. IT SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE WEATHER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS CLEAR AND VISIBILITY WAS 50 MILES. NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WAS FOUND. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SOUNDED 'FINE' AND THAT HE OBSERVED THE GYROCOPTER TO DESCEND JUST BEFORE IMPACT, AS IF THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO AVOID CONTACT WITH THE WIRES. ANOTHER WITNESS SAID IT APPEARED THAT THE GYROCOPTER WAS IN LEVEL FLIGHT WHEN IT STRUCK WIRES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61LM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61LM-1989-03-21), registration cancelled 1989-03-21, S/N M19861 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MURPHEY VANCRAFT 532 (VANCRAFT 5)
- Registry model: [Murphey Lawrence JR VANCRAFT 532](https://openairdocs.org/model/murphey-lawrence-jr-vancraft-532) (registry code 13027GN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: M19861
- Airframe hours: 76
- Engines: ROTAX 532LC 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lawrence B. Murphy, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 18, 1988, 32 hours before
- Departed: 4A8, TUCSON, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,200 total, 89 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 6° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUS, 10 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 19890115000469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890115000469A), Jan 15, 1989: Amtrnp VANCRAFT, Tucson, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck powerlines and crashed while on a local pleasure flight.

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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