# NTSB MIA82DA173: Air & Space 18A, N6140S, Orlando, FL, August 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1982, 09:20 local (13:20 UTC)
- Place: Orlando, FL
- Coordinates: 28.499769, -81.370262 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4998&lon=-81.3703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72108
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA82DA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72108/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA82DA173

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
- Roll over, takeoff

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, THE GYROCOPTER LIFTED OFF TO ONLY ABOUT 3 FT, INSTEAD OF THE USUAL 10 TO 15 FT. IT THEN SETTLED BACK TO THE RUNWAY AND ENCOUNTERED A GROUND RESONANT CONDITION. THE PILOT STATED THAT ONCE THE WHEELS WERE CARRYING THE WEIGHT, THE BLADES WOULD UNLOAD, THEN THEY WOULD "PITCH HIGH" AND SLOW DOWN. REPORTEDLY, WHEN THIS CONDITION WAS COUPLED WITH THE FAST FORWARD VELOCITY, A RESONANT VIBRATION OCCURRED. THE CONDITION BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE UNTIL THE LEFT GEAR FAILED AND THE GYROCOPTER ROLLED OVER. THE PILOT BELIEVED THAT THE ACCIDENT WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED IF HE HAD ABORTED THE TAKEOFF WHEN THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED BACK ONTO THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6140S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6140S-1984-11-28), registration cancelled 1984-11-28, S/N 18-48 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR & SPACE 18A
- Registry model: [Air & Space America 18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-space-america-18a) (registry code 0440104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane
- Serial number: 18-48
- Airframe hours: 114
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rodney D. Johnson
- Registered owner: Rodney D. Johnson
- Departed: ORL, ORLANDO, FL
- Destination: KISSIMMEE, FL
- Airport: ORL, Orlando Executive, runway 13, 4,620 × 100 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 108 total, 39 in this make and model, 93 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 181 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORL

## 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 19820820040099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820820040099A), Aug 20, 1982: Airspc 18AAIRSPC, Orlando, FL, Destroyed. Improper cylic trim on takeoff. Settled back to runway. Failed to chop power. Ground resonance set up collapsed gear

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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