# NTSB LAX94LA246: McCulloch J-2, N22GR, Willits, CA, June 11, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 11, 1994, 08:31 local (15:31 UTC) - Place: Willits, CA - Coordinates: 39.489894, -123.359596 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4899&lon=-123.3596&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report April 5, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28766 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA246 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28766/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA246 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency ## Analysis SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, A WITNESS HEARD THE ENGINE QUIT AND THEN OBSERVED SMOKE AND A LARGE FIRE OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. DURING THE RESCUE, THE PILOT TOLD THIS WITNESS THAT HE 'COULDN'T GET THE ROTOR BLADE UP.' EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE FOUND NOTHING THAT WOULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. HOWEVER, THE NO.3 CYLINDER WAS FOUND TO A 3-INCH CRACK THAT WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE POSTCRASH FIRE. SUPPORTING THIS WAS THE ABSENCE OF EXHAUST SOOT OR OIL STAINS IN THE CRACKED AREA NORMALLY FOUND WITH A CYLINDER THAT FAILED IN FLIGHT. ## Factual narrative On June 11, 1994, at 0831 hours Pacific daylight time, a McCulloch Aircraft Corporation J-2 gyrocopter, N22GR, collided with terrain after takeoff from the Willits Municipal Airport, Willits, California. The gyrocopter was being operated as a personal flight by the pilot/owner. The gyrocopter was destroyed and the certificated commercial pilot received fatal injuries. The flight departed the Willits Municipal Airport about 0830 hours. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight. The gyrocopter had just departed the airport at the time of the accident. A ground witness heard the aircraft depart and then heard the engine quit. The gyrocopter struck the terrain about 1/2 mile south of the airport and caught fire. The pilot stated to this person during the rescue that he "could not get the rotor blade up." The engine was examined on June 15, 1994, at Ukiah, California, under the supervision of an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He reported that the No. 3 cylinder head had a crack approximately 3 inches in length. There were no exhaust or oil stains found in the cracked area to indicate problems prior to impact. The inspector noted nothing during the inspection of the engine that could have contributed to the power loss. The FAA inspector's report, and that of a local mechanic, is attached. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N22GR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22GR-1995-10-10), registration cancelled 1995-10-10, S/N 028 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: McCulloch J-2 - Registry model: [Mcculloch J-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcculloch-j-2) (registry code 5500604) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane - Serial number: 28 - Airframe hours: 265 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Redman, Gerald R. - Registered owner: Gerald R. Redman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 1993, 11 hours before - Departed: O28 - Destination: O51, LINCOLN, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 447 total, 330 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: UKI ## 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 19940611014989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940611014989A), Jun 11, 1994: Aerors J2, Willits, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed on climbout. Pilot stated unable to get rotor speed up prior crash indicates improper gyro procedures. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.