# NTSB MIA03CA132: Parsons Trainer, New Smyrna, FL, June 23, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 23, 2003, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: New Smyrna, FL - Coordinates: 29.055833, -80.948333 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0558&lon=-80.9483&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57377 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA03CA132 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57377/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03CA132 ## Probable cause Failure of the pilot to maintain control of the gyrocopter. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - initial climb - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The student pilot stated that during initial takeoff, the aircraft climbed too fast, too early, and rolled to the right. He partially recovered prior to the aircraft colliding with the ground on the right side. A witness stated he observed the aircraft taking off on runway 6. About 1/3 of the way down the runway the aircraft rotated to a high angle of attack. The aircraft then yawed violently to the right. The pilot made a partial recovery but the aircraft again yawed to the right. The main rotor blades contacted the ground and the aircraft crashed. Post crash examination of the aircraft showed no evidence of malfunction. The aircraft was displaying FAA registration number N2059B at the time of the accident. FAA records indicate that the number was not currently assigned to an aircraft. The student pilot was not endorsed for solo flight. ## Factual narrative On June 23, 2003, about 1330 eastern daylight time, an unregistered experimental gyroplane, crashed during takeoff at New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport, New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The aircraft was destroyed and the student pilot received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the occurrence. The student pilot stated that during initial takeoff the aircraft climbed too fast, too early, and rolled to the right. He partially recovered prior to the aircraft colliding with the ground on the right side. A witness stated he observed the aircraft taking off on runway 6. About 1/3 of the way down the runway the aircraft rotated to a high angle of attach. The aircraft then yawed violently to the right. The pilot made a partial recovery but the aircraft again yawed to the right. The main rotor blades contacted the ground and the aircraft crashed. Postcrash examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector showed no evidence of precrash failure or malfunction of the aircraft structure, flight controls, rotor system, and engine. The aircraft was displaying FAA registration number N2059B at the time of the accident. FAA records indicate that the number was not currently assigned to an aircraft. Examination of the pilot's student pilot certificate by an FAA inspector showed that there was no endorsement by a flight instructor for solo flight in gyrocopters or any other aircraft on the certificate. ## Aircraft - Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Parsons Trainer - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: Unknown - Engines: Mazda 13B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thad Gala - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: KEVB, New Smyrna, FL - Airport: KEVB, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, runway 6, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 22; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 51 total, 13 in this make and model, 28 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: DAB, 15 nm away 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.