# NTSB NYC01LA230: Carver RAF 2000 GTX SE, N90407, Barre, VT, September 22, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 2001, 13:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: Barre, VT
- Coordinates: 44.203334, -72.562225
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2033&lon=-72.5622&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 3, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO-05
- NTSB case key (mKey): 53510
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC01LA230
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53510/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA230

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the takeoff.  A factor in this accident were wind gusts.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

The pilot was departing from runway 5, when he experienced a "strong cross-wind gust," which lifted the gyroplane off the ground, and turned it into the wind.  The gyroplane then dropped to the ground, perpendicular to the runway, and flipped over.  The pilot reported he experienced no mechanical problems with the gyroplane.  Winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident were variable in direction at 6 knots, with 15 knot gusts.

## Factual narrative

On September 22, 2001, about 1350 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt RAF 2000 GTX SE Gyroplane, N90407, was substantially damaged during takeoff at the Edward F. Knapp State Airport (MPV), Barre, Vermont.  The certificated private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated he was departing from runway 5, a 4,022 foot-long, 100 foot-wide asphalt runway, with the intention of practicing takeoffs and landings.  As the gyroplane was nearing rotation speed, he experienced a "strong cross-wind gust," which lifted the gyroplane off the ground, and turned it into the wind.  The gyroplane then dropped to the ground, perpendicular to the runway, and flipped over.

The pilot reported 215 hours of total flight experience, which included 38 hours in make and model during the previous 90 days.  He also stated he did not experience any mechanical problems with the gyroplane.

Winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident were variable in direction at 6 knots, with 15 knot gusts.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90407](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90407-2017-06-15), registration cancelled 2017-06-15, S/N H2-95-6-193, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Carver RAF 2000 GTX SE
- Registry model: [Carver Dennis RAF 2000 GTX SE](https://openairdocs.org/model/carver-dennis-raf-2000-gtx-se) (registry code 05610KU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: H2956193
- Airframe hours: 73
- Engines: Subaru EJ-22 130 hp reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dennis P. Carver
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, August 20, 2001, 18 hours before
- Departed: MPV, Barre, VT
- Destination: MPV, Barre, VT
- Airport: MPV, Edward F Knapp State, runway 5, 4,022 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 215 total, 70 in this make and model, 38 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 6 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: MPV

## 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 20010922026199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010922026199A), Sep 22, 2001: Amtr RAF2000GTXSE, Barre Montpelie, VT, No damage. (-23) On September 22, 2001, at 1330LCL, N90407, an amateur built gyroplane, model RAF-2000-GTX-SE, piloted by owner dennis p. carver, private pilot #2618467…

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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