# NTSB MIA90FA102: Farrington AIR Command 532, N532RC, Okeechobee, FL, April 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1990, 17:11 local (21:11 UTC)
- Place: Okeechobee, FL
- Coordinates: 27.499111, -80.930854 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4991&lon=-80.9309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32555
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90FA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32555/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90FA102

## Probable cause

PILOT'S DECISION TO ATTEMPT TO FLY THE GYROCOPTER WITHOUT PROPER TRAINING RESULTING IN THE INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL AND SUBSEQUENT CRASH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

PLT HAD RECEIVED ONLY APROX. 1 HOUR TOTAL GYROCOPTER FLIGHT TIME AND APPROX. 15 MINUTES OF DUAL INSTRUCTION AND HAD NOT BEEN SIGNED OFF FOR SOLO FLIGHT. PLT HAD EXPIRED MEDICAL CERTIFICATE AND NO RECORD OF HAVING RECEIVED A BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW. GYROCOPTER HAD NO RECORD OF HAVING CURRENT INSPECTION. PLT INADVERTENTLY LET GYROCOPTER PORPOISE RESULTING IN MAIN ROTOR RPM SLOWING AND MAIN ROTOR BLADE CONTACTING ROTOR HEAD AND PROPELLER. ALL CONTROL WAS LOST AND GYROCOPTER DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND. NO POST CRASH EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OF THE STRUCTURE, FLIGHT CONTROLS, OR ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N532RC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N532RC-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N F.A.C.-10, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FARRINGTON AIR COMMAND 532 (AIR COMMAN)
- Registry model: [Farrington AIR COMMAND 532](https://openairdocs.org/model/farrington-air-command-532) (registry code 13027FU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: FAC-10
- Airframe hours: 596
- Engines: ROTAX 532 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert Lewis Demarco
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: OBE, Okeechobee County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: expired; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 251 total, 1 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FPR, 30 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 19900407011629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900407011629A), Apr 7, 1990: Amtrac ELITE532, Okeechobee, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Observed in 90 degree nose attitude. Main rotor was unloaded. Rolled,crashed inverted. No checkout in type.

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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