# NTSB LAX89DVD01: Hitchcock JH-1, N58EE, Petaluma, CA, December 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: December 2, 1988, 12:16 local (20:16 UTC)
- Place: Petaluma, CA
- Coordinates: 38.209659, -122.75975 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2097&lon=-122.7597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26159
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89DVD01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26159/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DVD01

## 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
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PLT WAS ON INITIAL FLT IN NEWLY-BUILT GYROCOPTER. AFTER TAKEOFF, WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT TO CLIMB TO ABOUT 100 FEET THEN TO NOSE OVER UNTIL GROUND IMPACT. NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58EE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58EE-1991-03-26), registration cancelled 1991-03-26, S/N 4887 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HITCHCOCK JH-1
- Registry model: [Hitchcock Jerry N JH-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/hitchcock-jerry-n-jh-1) (registry code 1301599) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 4-8-87
- Engines: ROTAX 532 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jerry N. Hitchcock
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, November 17, 1988, 2 hours before
- Airport: 069, Petaluma, runway 11, 3,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,800 total, 2 in this make and model, 1,741 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 15 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 19881202052449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881202052449A), Dec 2, 1988: Amtr JHCGYRO, Petaluma, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. First flight was hit by wind gust on climbout rolled inverted and crashed. Not gyroplane rated.

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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