# NTSB MIA01LA047: Larry Groover Eagle, N8132L, Auburndale, FL, December 22, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 22, 2000, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Auburndale, FL
- Coordinates: 28.069398, -81.789741 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0694&lon=-81.7897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 19, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50827
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA01LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50827/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA047

## 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

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - object - fence
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8132L), registered now, S/N 5764, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Larry Groover EAGLE
- Registry model: [Groover Larry EAGLE](https://openairdocs.org/model/groover-larry-eagle) (registry code 05605O4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Subaru ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 59050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 5764
- Airframe hours: 130
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20001222041659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001222041659A), Dec 22, 2000: Amtr EAGLE, Auburndale, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On December 22, 2000 at approximately 1730 EST an experimental amatuer built rotorcraft-gyroplane struck a fence during an attempted takeoff from the…

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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