# NTSB MIA90LA087: Air & Space 18-A, N6158S, Brandon, FL, March 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1990, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Brandon, FL
- Coordinates: 27.920354, -82.289733 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9204&lon=-82.2897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32636
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32636/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA087

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:  WIRE(S) NEAR THE END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command
  - descent - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE GYROPLANE PILOT HAD JUST MADE A JUMP TAKEOFF & HAD ONLY 20 KTS, WHEN SHE SAW WIRES AHEAD.  SHE INITIATED A STEEP TURN AT A LOW ALTITUDE AND THE GYROPLANE LOST ALTITUDE. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT TOUCHED DOWN ON UNEVEN TERRAIN & ROLLED OVER ON ITS LEFT SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6158S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6158S-2018-09-13), registration cancelled 2018-09-13, S/N 18-69, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR & SPACE 18-A
- Registry model: [Air & Space America 18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-space-america-18a) (registry code 0440104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane
- Serial number: 18-69
- Airframe hours: 379
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ates, Joyce
- Registered owner: Farrington Aircraft
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 9, 1989, 194 hours before
- Departed: X18
- Destination: X181
- Airport: X18, Brandon, runway 18, 3,335 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; medical: unknown, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 214 total, 198 in this make and model, 129 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPA, 16 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 19900312003879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900312003879A), Mar 12, 1990: Airspc 18AAIRSPC, Brandon, FL, Substantial damage. Made jump takeoff at low speed, banked to clear wires, lost altitude and crashed.

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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