# NTSB MIA86FA027: Parsons B/P Gyrocopter, N54WP, Dunnellon, FL, November 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 9, 1985, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Dunnellon, FL
- Location: 29.0618° N, 82.3766° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MARION COUNTY (X35), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0618&lon=-82.3766&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31471
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86FA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31471/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86FA027

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - lack of recent total experience, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Propeller/rotor contact to person, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - flight control,rudder - separation (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PLT WHO WAS NOT RATED IN HELICOPTERS OR GYROPLANES AND HAD AN EXPIRED INSTRUCTORS CERTIFICATE WAS IMPARTING INSTRUCTION TO A STUDENT PLT IN A 2 PLACE HOMEBUILT GYROCOPTER. WHEN ON DOWNWIND TURN TO BASE LEG THE STUDENT TIPPED THE ROTOR DISC FORWARD AND THE ROTOR RPM DECAYED. THE ROTOR THEN WAS OBSERVED TO STRIKE THE RUDDER AND IT FAILED. THE ACFT THEN WAS OBSERVED TO FALL IN UNCONTROLLED FLT TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N54WP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PARSONS B/P GYROCOPTER (B/P GYROCO)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 128
- Airframe hours: 85
- Engines: MCCULLOCH O-100 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Williams Parson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 1985, 85 hours before
- Departed: X35, DUNNELLON, FL
- Airport: X35, Dunnellon Muni, runway 5, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; airline transport, flight engineer, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 20,000 total, 50 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 46 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 19851109076189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851109076189A), Nov 9, 1985: Dunnellon, FL, Destroyed. On downwind rotor blades tilted back and forth. Part fell from aircraft and it fell to ground. Mast had failed.

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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