- Date
- December 22, 2000, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place
- Auburndale, FL
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N8132LLarry Groover Eagle
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report April 19, 2001
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 20001222041659A
- Case key
- 50827
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance during takeoff, which resulted in an inflight collision with a fence and substantial damage to the aircraft.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot stated that he was departing from his private field on a local pleasure flight, and during takeoff the aircraft collided with a fence and incurred substantial damage. The pilot further stated that prior to the accident there had been no malfunctions or failures of the aircraft or any of its systems.
Factual narrative
On December 22, 2000, about 1700 eastern standard time, a Larry Groover Eagle, N8132L, registered to and operated by private owner, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with a fence during takeoff from a private field in Auburndale, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The recreational-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The gyrocopter incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot stated that he was departing from his private field on a local pleasure flight, and during takeoff, while approaching the end of the runway at an altitude of 4 feet, the aircraft collided with a fence, and incurred substantial damage. The pilot further stated that prior to the accident there had been no malfunctions or failures of the aircraft or any of its systems.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N8132L
- Reported as
- Larry Groover Eagle
- Category
- Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number
- 5764
- Airframe hours
- 130
- Engine
- Subaru, 130 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Larry Groover
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection
- Annual · October 1, 2000
- Airport
- Eagles Nest
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 43
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Expired
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 130 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 64 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- GIF
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.