MIA07CA094

NTSB accident investigation · Rotor Flight Dynamics Dominator · Mountain City, TN · May 5, 2007

Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
May 5, 2007, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
Place
Mountain City, TN
Injuries
1 serious
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Takeoff
Aircraft
UNREGRotor Flight Dynamics Dominator
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report October 31, 2007
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
Nashville FSDO
Case key
65734

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's decision to attempt operation of the airplane with a known physical impairment (loss of leg control) which resulted in his loss of aircraft control during takeoff and the airplane nosing over.

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.

Loss of control - on ground/waterTakeoff - roll/run
Physiological conditionPilot in commandCause
Preflight planning/preparation - poorPilot in commandCause
Aircraft control - not possiblePilot in command
IncapacitationPilot in command
Nose overTakeoff - roll/run

Analysis

The pilot stated to the FAA inspector that he had an accident back in the 1960's, and his back was injured. As a result of this, about 10 times a year, his legs will quit working and he will fall. On May 5, 2007, he flew his aircraft. On a latter flight that day, during the takeoff roll, he lost the use of his legs and could not control the rudders. He lost control of the aircraft and it turned over. He was trapped under the aircraft. Gas from the aircraft got on his body causing third degree chemical burns and he broke three ribs, and dislocated a shoulder. One of the EMT personnel who attended to the pilot at the accident site stated to the FAA inspector that they have records showing the pilot having an accident in the same aircraft at the same airport in March of 2007. The FAA inspector did confirm with the pilot that the same thing happened in March. He was not hurt that time; however, the aircraft was damaged. He said he now knows that he lost the use of his legs at that time, but he did not realize it then. No mechanical abnormalities with the aircraft was reported by the pilot.

Factual narrative

The pilot stated to the FAA inspector that he had an accident back in the 1960's. His back was injured. As a result of this, about 10 times a year, his legs will quit working and he will fall. On May 5, 2007, he flew his aircraft. On a latter flight that day, during the takeoff roll, he lost the use of his legs and could not control the rudders. He lost control of the aircraft and it turned over. He was trapped under the aircraft. Gas from the aircraft got on his body causing third degree chemical burns and he broke three ribs, and dislocated a shoulder.

The pilot stated the aircraft was a Dominator by Rotor Flight Dynamics Inc. The pilot finished building the aircraft in February of 2007. The aircraft had a total of 6 hours on it. He had received dual instruction, but he did not have a pilot's license or a student pilot's license. The aircraft did not have an N registration number; however, he did have two sets of N registration numbers reserved. One of which he was planning to use on this aircraft. The pilot said the aircraft's weight was 350 lbs.

One of the EMT personnel who attended to the pilot at the accident site stated to the FAA inspector that they have records showing the pilot having an accident in the same aircraft at the same airport in March of 2007. The FAA inspector did confirm with the pilot that the same thing happened in March. He was not hurt that time; however, the aircraft was damaged. He said he now knows that he lost the use of his legs at that time, but he did not realize it then.

No mechanical abnormalities with the aircraft was reported by the pilot. A completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident /Incident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) was not received.

Aircraft

Registration
UNREG
Reported as
Rotor Flight Dynamics Dominator
Category
Gyroplane, amateur-built
Serial number
Unknown
Engine
Rotax Unk, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Strother Smith
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Departed
6A4 · Mountain City, TN

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
70
Injuries
Serious
Flight hours
0 total · 0 in this make and model

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
200° at 6 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
1,600 ft broken
Temperature
61 °F, dew point 57 °F
Altimeter
30.12 inHg
Observed at
KTNB