# NTSB LAX91LA217: Farrington 18A, N6126S, Long Beach, CA, May 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1991, 17:00 local (May 17, 1991, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Long Beach, CA
- Coordinates: 33.820758, -118.109687 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8208&lon=-118.1097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27210
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27210/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA217

## Probable cause

GROUND RESONANCE REMEDIAL ACTION NOT PERFORMED BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED ATP PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD COMPLETED A NORMAL CHECKLIST.  HE STATED THERE WAS A NORMAL SPIN UP ON THE RUNWAY AND ROTOR RPM WAS ATTAINED WITH NO SIGN OF GROUND RESONANCE.  EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL ON TAKEOFF RUN TO 30 KNOTS. AT 31 KNOTS THE PILOT PROCEEDED TO PREPOSITION STICK TO THE LEFT AND PUSH LIFT BUTTON.  THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED VIOLENT GROUND RESONANCE SIMULTANEOUSLY AT LIFT OFF.  GYROPLANE CONTINUED SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND SWERVED TO THE LEFT COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND. THE PILOT STATED TO THE FAA HE WAS UNSURE WHETHER OR NOT HE HAD ACTUALLY PRESSED THE ENGAGE SWITCH OR THAT HE HAD BECOME AIRBORNE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6126S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6126S), registered now, S/N 18-32, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FARRINGTON 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: 18-32
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Novo Helicopter
- Registered owner: Frank Savvours
- Departed: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA
- Airport: LGB, Long Beach, runway 25, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 13,000 total, 20 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 6 knots
- 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 19910516016249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910516016249A), May 16, 1991: Airspc 18AAIRSPC, Long Beach, CA, Substantial damage. Porpoised on takeoff. Shock hitting runway led to ground resonance and separation of main rotors.

## Other investigations on N6126S (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC93LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA096), Apr 27, 1993: Air & Space 18-A (N6126S), Paducah, KY, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR RESULTING IN A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHILE CONDUCTING A SIMULATED EMERGENCY, AND THE SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN DURING A ROLL 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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