# NTSB MKC87FA148: Watts 532 Elite, N5352, Davenport, IA, July 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1987, 18:35 local (23:35 UTC)
- Place: Davenport, IA
- Coordinates: 41.550128, -90.600013 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5501&lon=-90.6000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34297
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87FA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34297/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87FA148

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - flight control,rudder - separation
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES LOCATED 1/4 MI NORTH OF THE ACCIDENT SITE, OBSERVED THE GYROCOPTER DEPARTING THE DAVENPORT, IA AIRPORT AND TURNING TO THE SOUTHWEST. WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT THE WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT MOVING IN AN UP AND DOWN MOTION PRIOR TO WHAT APPEARED TO BE PARTS OF THE GYROCOPTER FLYING OFF. THE GYROCOPTER THEN FELL VERTICALLY INTO A CORNFIELD. ON SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RUDDER WAS STRUCK BY THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE WHICH SEPARATED FROM ITS MOUNTING. A NEARBY WEATHER REPORTING STATION REPORTED A WIND CHANGE OF NEARLY 80 DEGREES AND WIND GUSTS TO 26 KNOTS DURING THE FLIGHT. LOCAL OPERATORS OF THE SAME TYPE OF GYROCOPTER INDICATED THE 'FLIGHT CONTROLS WERE EXTREMELY SENSITIVE INFLIGHT AND OVERCONTROL IS POSSIBLE WHEN IN TURBULENT WIND CONDITIONS.' NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS/FAILURES WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5352](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5352-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 10328JW, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WATTS 532 ELITE
- Registry model: [Watts John L SR AIRCOMMAND 532 ELITE](https://openairdocs.org/model/watts-john-l-sr-aircommand-532-elite) (registry code 13027HA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 10328JW
- Airframe hours: 13
- Engines: ROTAX 532 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: John L. Watts,Sr.
- Registered owner: John L Watts, Sr
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: DVN
- Airport: DVN, Davenport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 263 total, 13 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 18 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLI, 18 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.