# NTSB MIA89LA060: Air Command 532E, N70319, Clearwater, FL, December 31, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 31, 1988, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Clearwater, FL
- Coordinates: 27.9601, -82.299667 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9601&lon=-82.2997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32378
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32378/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA060

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT SAID HE DID NOT REMEMBER ANYTHING ABOUT THE ACCIDENT. WITNESSES STATED THAT AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL ON FINAL APPROACH THE GYROCOPTER RAPIDLY DESCENDED. IT REMAINED LEVEL AND HIT HARD, ROLLING OVER ON IMPACT. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING UNTIL IMPACT. THE STUDENT WAS A FORMER MILITARY PILOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70319](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70319-1992-02-03), registration cancelled 1992-02-03, S/N 0459 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR COMMAND 532E
- Registry model: [Williams Robert G AIR COMMAND 532ELITE](https://openairdocs.org/model/williams-robert-g-air-command-532elite) (registry code 130014P) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0459
- Airframe hours: 40
- Engines: ROTAX 532 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert G Williams
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 31, 1988, 1 hours before
- Departed: CLW, CLEARWATER, FL
- Airport: CLW, Clearwater Executive, runway 15, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 3,200 total, 46 in this make and model, 46 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIE, 9 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 19881231069949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881231069949A), Dec 31, 1988: Amtrac ELITE532, Clearwater, FL, Substantial damage. Gyroplane was seen to nose into ground on final approach. Seriously injured pilot has no recall. No defects noted.

## Other investigations on N70319 (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA90LA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA115), May 2, 1990: Williams, Robert G. AIR COMM. 532 Elite (N70319), Indian Rks Bch, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: LOSS OF POWER DUE TO THE OVERHEATED ENGINE CAUSED BY A SEPARATED LIQUID COOLANT LINE WHICH ALLOWED THE COOLANT TO DRAIN, RESULTING IN THE FORCED LANDING.

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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