# NTSB MKC89LA093: Huff 1, N59GH, Liberty, MO, April 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1989, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Liberty, MO
- Coordinates: 39.239917, -94.409339 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2399&lon=-94.4093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 19, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34780
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34780/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA093

## Probable cause

PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON.  THE SOFT TERRAIN (PLOWED FIELD) WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID THAT, WHILE PRACTICING TAKEOFFS AND LNDGS, THERE WAS A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENG POWER DURING THE 3RD TAKEOFF. SUBSEQUENTLY, AN EMERG LNDG WAS MADE IN A PLOWED FIELD & THE GYROPLANE WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE PUSHER PROP. THE WIND WAS RPRTD TO BE FROM 180 DEG AT 20 GUSTING 25 KTS & THE RPRTD TEMP WAS 85 DEG. NO SPECIFIC REASON WAS FOUND FOR THE POWER LOSS; THE PILOT HAD JUST INSTALLED THE ENG & IT HAD ACCUMULATED ABOUT 1/2 HR OF OPNL TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N59GH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N59GH-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 001, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUFF 1
- Registry model: [Huff Glenn E HUFF 1](https://openairdocs.org/model/huff-glenn-e-huff-1) (registry code 1300606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Airframe hours: 120
- Engines: ROTAX 503 47 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Huff, Glenn E.
- Registered owner: Huff, Glenn E
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 4MO4, LIBERTY, MO
- Airport: 4M04, Liberty Landing, runway 22, 1,800 × 20 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 186 total, 120 in this make and model, 46 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890421009649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890421009649A), Apr 21, 1989: Huffge HUFF1, Liberty, MO, Substantial damage. Unable to sustain flight after takeoff due to partial engine power. Off airport Landing. Rotors struck propeller.

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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