# NTSB LAX98LA072: Daniel RAF-2000, N90606, Wahiawa, HI, January 12, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 12, 1998, 10:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Wahiawa, HI - Coordinates: 21.570003, -158.120162 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.5700&lon=-158.1202&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30021 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA072 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30021/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA072 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control due to inadequate trim adjustments following installation of a larger engine. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The accident occurred during the student pilot's first day flying his gyrocopter after installation of a new, more powerful engine. The pilot reported that because of a strong left turning tendency noted during an earlier flight, he had adjusted the rudder trim tab and the trim springs. On the accident flight, approaching the airstrip, the pilot lost directional control upon application of full engine power to arrest the descent. The gyrocopter turned 90 degrees left and crashed into a sugar cane field. The FAA coordinator reported that its examination of the pilot's personal flight record logbook indicated the pilot had last received dual flight instruction in November 1996. The pilot's last 90-day solo flying endorsement was signed by his certified flight instructor (CFI) in April 1997. ## Factual narrative On January 12, 1998, at 1030 hours Hawaiian standard time, a Daniel RAF-2000, N90606, experimental gyrocopter, crashed into a field near Wahiawa, Oahu, Hawaii. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the solo flight, and no flight plan was filed. The gyrocopter was owned, operated, and built by the pilot. The accident occurred during the pilot's approach to an agricultural airstrip near the Dillingham Airfield, Oahu. The homebuilt aircraft was substantially damaged and the student pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Oahu about 0915. According to the pilot, the accident occurred during the first day of flight testing his gyrocopter following the installation of a new, more powerful engine. The pilot reported that because of a strong left turning tendency noted during an earlier flight, he adjusted the rudder trim tab and the trim springs. Approaching the airstrip on a subsequent flight, however, he lost directional control upon application of full engine power to arrest a descent. The gyrocopter turned 90 degrees left, and it crashed into a sugar cane field. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinator reported that its examination of the pilot's personal flight record logbook indicated the pilot had last received dual flight instruction on November 25, 1996. The pilot's last 90-day solo flying endorsement was signed by his certified flight instructor (CFI) on April 4, 1997. The FAA coordinator further indicated that the CFI's supervision over his student's flight training had been inadequate because, in part, the CFI was aware his student continued solo flying without having received the requisite current solo flying logbook endorsement and dual flight instruction. ## Aircraft - Registration: N90606 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Daniel RAF-2000 - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: H2-94-5-143 - Airframe hours: 23 - Engines: Subaru EJ-22 130 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Brian Daniel - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 1997, 23 hours before - Departed: HDH, MOKULEIA, HI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 57 total, 51 in this make and model, 28 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F ## 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 19980112000339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980112000339A), Jan 12, 1998: Amtr RAF2000, Wahiawa, HI, Substantial damage. Failed to correct for torque lost control and landed hard. (.4)the accident occurred during the student pilot's first day flying his gyrocopter after… 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.