# NTSB MIA96LA095: Rotor Flight Dynamics Dominator, Quincy, FL, January 18, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 18, 1996, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Quincy, FL
- Coordinates: 30.440483, -85.040916 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4405&lon=-85.0409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37991
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37991/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA095

## Probable cause

a partial loss of engine power due to fuel contamination, and the pilot-in-command's improper decision to land with a tailwind.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command(cfi)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

The CFI stated that during takeoff the gyroplane's engine ran rough.  He returned to the airport, checked the plugs, and cleaned the fuel filter of contaminant that was found. On the second takeoff the engine ran fine.  About 30 minutes into the flight the engine began to lose power.  The pilot made a downwind precautionary landing to a field. During the landing the nose gear buckled, and the main rotor blades, propeller, and airframe were damaged.

## Factual narrative

On January 18, 1996, about 1430 central standard time, a privately-owned experimental gyroplane, an unregistered Dominator crashed while on a 14 CFR Part 91 cross-country instructional flight.  Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The gyroplane was substantially damaged and the flight instructor and student were not injured.  The flight had originated from Quincy, Florida, earlier that same day.

The CFI stated that during the takeoff the engine ran rough. He then returned to the airport, checked the plugs, and cleaned the fuel filter of contaminant that was found.  On the second takeoff the engine ran fine.  About 30 minutes into the flight while at 500 feet the engine began to loose power.  He then attempted a downwind precautionary landing to a field.  During the landing the nose gear buckled, and the main rotor blades, propeller, and airframe were damaged.

This accident was not reported to the NTSB until March 06, 1996.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROTOR FLIGHT DYNAMICS DOMINATOR
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 100
- Engines: AMW A700HB4 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harmon Mckenzie Jr.
- Departed: 2J9, FL
- Destination: OJ9, BLOUNTSTOWN, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,380 total, 22 in this make and model, 1,276 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 13 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TLH, 8 nm away

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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