# NTSB MIA08CA061: Stephen F. Graves SG-3, N6232Y, Fort Pierce, FL, February 16, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 16, 2008, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Fort Pierce, FL - Coordinates: 27.277778, -80.58583 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2778&lon=-80.5858&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 67530 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA061 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67530/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA061 ## Probable cause The failure of the student to maintain directional control during a cross wind takeoff. A factor in the accident was inadequate supervision by the CFI. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [Graves Stephen F SG-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=056223K), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Graves Stephen F SG-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056223K), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Graves Stephen F SG-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=056223K), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Graves Stephen F SG-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=056223K), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) - [Terrain: water](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Graves Stephen F SG-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md?model=056223K), [All aircraft, 97 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Graves Stephen F SG-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056223K), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Graves Stephen F SG-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056223K), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Graves Stephen F SG-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056223K), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated that during a go-around following a touch-and-go landing on runway 27 with the wind from 360 degrees at 15-20 knots, the gyrocopter drifted to the left. The CFI took control of the gyrocopter but the left wheel contacted a tire that bordered the south edge of the runway. The gyrocopter then yawed to the left and crashed into a canal. The CFI further stated there was no mechanical failure or malfunction. ## Factual narrative The CFI stated that during a go-around following a touch-and-go landing on runway 27 with the wind from 360 degrees at 15-20 knots, the gyrocopter drifted to the left. The CFI took control of the gyrocopter but the left wheel contacted a tire that bordered the south edge of the runway. The gyrocopter then yawed to the left and crashed into a canal. The CFI further stated there was no mechanical failure or malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6232Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6232Y-2019-02-04), registration cancelled 2019-02-04, S/N 008263995, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stephen F. Graves SG-3 - Registry model: [Graves Stephen F SG-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/graves-stephen-f-sg-3) (registry code 056223K) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 008263995 - Airframe hours: 700 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B21 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert F. Martian - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 1, 2007 - Departed: FL67, Fort Pierce, FL - Destination: FL67, Fort Pierce, FL - Airport: FL67, Evans Properties Inc Airport, runway 27, 3,000 × 36 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 60; injuries: minor; flight engineer, commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot; last flight review July 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 6,075 total, 334 in this make and model, 5,572 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; medical: unknown; seat: rear; flight hours: 15 total, 5 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KOBE, 14 nm away ## 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 20080216833239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080216833239A), Feb 16, 2008: Graves SG3, Ft Pierce, FL, Destroyed. (-23) Instructor stated they were performing touch and gos on runway 27. While taking off the student started to veer to the left due to a crosswind.… 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.