# NTSB LAX89LA055: Air & Space 18A, N6113S, Palo Alto, CA, November 22, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 21, 1988, 18:11 local (Nov 22, 1988, 02:11 UTC)
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.449707, -122.09938 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4497&lon=-122.0994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26303
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26303/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA055

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - cracked (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear strut - locked (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE GYROPLANE DURING THE LANDING ROLL, DEPARTED THE RWY AND NOSED OVER. THE GYROPLANE TOUCHED DOWN NORMALLY ON THE MAIN LANDING GEAR AT AN INDICATED AIRSPEED OF ABOUT 20 MPH. AS THE GYROPLANE SLOWED FURTHER, THE NOSE WHEEL TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RUNWAY AND TRACKED THE CENTERLINE FOR ABOUT TEN FEET THEN VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE GYROPLANE'S GROUND TRACK BY APPLYING THE RIGHT RUDDER AND BRAKE, BUT THE GYROPLANE CONTINUED TO TIGHTEN IN THE LEFT TURN. INSPECTION OF THE NOSE GEAR ASSEMBLY REVEALED A CRACK IN THE NOSE WHEEL SHIMMY DAMPER UPPER PHENOLIC COLLAR. THE CRACK IN THE COLLAR RESULTED IN THE NOSE WHEEL STRUT BECOMING LOCKED AND NOT ALLOWING NOSE WHEEL STEERING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6113S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6113S-2013-04-26), registration cancelled 2013-04-26, S/N 18-19, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Air & Space 18A
- Registry model: [Air & Space America 18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-space-america-18a) (registry code 0440104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane
- Serial number: 18-19
- Airframe hours: 397
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rienhard, Joesph, doing business as Pegasus Rotorcraft
- Registered owner: Joseph Reinhard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 18, 1988, 62 hours before
- Airport: PAO, Palo Alto, runway 30, 2,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,100 total, 26 in this make and model, 920 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19881122051489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881122051489A), Nov 22, 1988: Airspc 18AIRSPC, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. Collar on upper nose strut cracked causing seizure of full castering gear. Pilot lost control. Gyroplane nosed over

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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