# NTSB MIA03CA107: Michael Allen Brown RAF 2000 GTX, N9DQ, Punta Gorda, FL, May 10, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 10, 2003, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Punta Gorda, FL
- Coordinates: 26.92, -81.990554
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.9200&lon=-81.9906&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 23, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 56967
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA03CA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56967/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03CA107

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain rotor speed during the takeoff which resulted in the gyrocopter descending and the main rotor  impacting the ground, incurring damage.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he was performing a normal crosswind takeoff on the grass, and shortly after liftoff he did not adequately control the main rotor speed, and allowed the gyrocopter to descend and its main rotor to hit the ground. He further stated that prior to the rotor hitting the ground there had been no mechanical failure or malfunction to the gyrocopter or any of its systems.

## Factual narrative

On May 10, 2003, about 0930 eastern daylight time, a Michael Allen Brown RAF 2000 GTX gyrocopter, N9DQ, registered to and operated by a private individual as a Title 14 CFR part 91 personal flight, encountered blade flap during takeoff at Punta Gorda, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot was not injured and the gyrocopter incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that he was performing a normal crosswind takeoff on the grass, and shortly after liftoff he did not adequately control the main rotor speed, and allowed the gyrocopter to descend and its main rotor to hit the ground. He further stated that prior to the rotor hitting the ground there had been no mechanical failure or malfunction to the gyrocopter or any of its systems.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9DQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9DQ-2017-06-07), registration cancelled 2017-06-07, S/N H2-97-8-299, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Michael Allen Brown RAF 2000 GTX
- Registry model: [Brown Michael Allen RAF 2000 GTX](https://openairdocs.org/model/brown-michael-allen-raf-2000-gtx) (registry code 05607I6) (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: H2-97-8-299
- Engines: Subaru Flat 4 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael A. Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: PGD, Punta Gorda, FL
- Destination: SEF, Sebring, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 300 total, 0 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20030510015309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030510015309A), May 10, 2003: Amtr RAF2000GTX, Punta Gorda, FL, Minor damage. (-23) On may 10, 2003, at 9:45 local time, a raf 2000GTX, N9DQ, registered to michael a. brown, was taking off on runway 9 at Punta Gorda, Florida (pgd).…

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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