# NTSB MIA07CA094: Rotor Flight Dynamics Dominator, Mountain City, TN, May 5, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 5, 2007, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Mountain City, TN - Coordinates: 36.418609, -81.839721 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4186&lon=-81.8397&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Nashville FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 65734 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA07CA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65734/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07CA094 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - physiological condition, pilot in command (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command - incapacitation, pilot in command - Nose over, takeoff - 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 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Rotor Flight Dynamics, Inc. Dominator - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: Unknown - Engines: 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. - 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 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.