# NTSB MIA95LA116: Korzep Bumble BEE 500, N4711G, Titusville, FL, April 22, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1995, 13:10 local (17:10 UTC)
- Place: Titusville, FL
- Location: 28.5729° N, 80.8204° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Titusville, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5729&lon=-80.8204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37757
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37757/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA116

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM, RESULTING IN THE SUBSEQUENT IN FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL. THE PILOT'S LACK OF QUALIFICATION WAS A FACTOR.

## 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 - base leg/base to final
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of certification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON-CERTIFICATED PILOT ATTEMPTED A FLIGHT ALONE IN A GYROCOPTER. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE GYROCOPTER OVERSHOOT THE BASE TO FINAL TURN. THEY SAW THE ROTOR RPM DECREASE, THE GYROCOPTER DEPART CONTROLLED FLIGHT AND CRASH. NO PRE-EXISTING FAILURES OF THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME WERE FOUND AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Factual narrative

On April 22, 1995, at about 1310 eastern daylight time, a Korzep Bumble Bee 500, N4711G, registered to a private individual, and operated by Gabriel Applegate crashed while on approach to Rockledge Airpark, while operating on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.  The gyrocopter sustained substantial damage, the non-rated pilot was seriously injured, and died from his injuries 5 days later.  The flight originated from the same airpark about 2 minutes before the accident occurred.

Witnesses observed the aircraft overshoot the base to final turn, lose control, and crash. The witnesses also stated that they observed the rotor RPM decay during the turn. Examination of the wreckage by FAA personnel revealed no pre-existing engine or airframe failures. Review of available pilot records revealed the pilot did not hold any airman rating nor medical certificate. A pilot logbook was found that revealed the pilot had logged about 30 hours of flight, of which about 4 hours were in gyrocopters. The airframe and engine logbooks were not located.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4711G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4711G-2013-09-30), registration cancelled 2013-09-30, S/N 6419542B, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KORZEP BUMBLE BEE 500 (BUMBLE BEE)
- Registry model: [Korzep Edward BUMBLE BEE 500](https://openairdocs.org/model/korzep-edward-bumble-bee-500) (registry code 13015DK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Unknown, amateur-built
- Engines: ARROW 500 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Applegate, Gabriel C
- Registered owner: Thomas W. Kirby
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: X65
- Airport: X65, Rockledge Airpark, runway 18, 2,110 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; seat: center; flight hours: 30 total, 4 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TIX, 13 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 19950422008689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950422008689A), Apr 22, 1995: Amtrar BUMBLEBEE2, Rockledge, FL, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Overshot turn to final landing. Lost rotor RPM and control trying to realign. Pilot not rated. No medical.

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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