# NTSB MIA91LA185: Donald R. Lee AIR Command, N7165P, Quitman, MS, July 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1991, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Quitman, MS
- Coordinates: 32.039516, -88.720352 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0395&lon=-88.7204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32902
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32902/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA185

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMANDS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL RESULTING IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AND AN IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate initial training, pilot in command (cause)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - level off - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED GYROCOPTER BEGAN UP AND DOWN MOTION OR PORPOISING SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THIS CONTINUED UNTIL AIRCRAFT ROLLED TO THE LEFT AND PITCHED DOWN AT WHICH TIME IT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO OPERATE UNTIL GROUND IMPACT. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT BY FAA INSPECTORS REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE STRUCTURE, FLIGHT CONTROLS, OR ENGINE. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES HAD FLEXED UP AND DOWN AND MADE CONTACT WITH THE PROPELLER. AVAILABLE RECORDS INDICATED THE PILOT HAD APPROXIMATELY 5 HOURS IN GYROCOPTERS WITH NO EVIDENCE OF HAVING RECEIVED ANY TRAINING IN GYROCOPTERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7165P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7165P-2013-05-16), registration cancelled 2013-05-16, S/N DRL-0542, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DONALD R. LEE AIR COMMAND (AIR COMMAN)
- Registry model: [Lee Donald R A](https://openairdocs.org/model/lee-donald-r-a) (registry code 130017F) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: DRL-0542
- Airframe hours: 5
- Engines: ROTAX 532 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald R. Lee
- Registered owner: Donald R. Lee
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 4, 1990, 5 hours before
- Airport: 23M, Clarke County, runway 34, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 200 total, 5 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEI, 15 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 19910713027519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910713027519A), Jul 13, 1991: Amtrac ELITE532, Quitman, MS, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot induced oscillations on climbout caused pitch over. Rotors hit prop and gyroplane crashed. No dual checkout.

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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