# NTSB NYC08CA093: James Dayton Pit Bull JD-3, N6592H, Leonardtown, MD, January 27, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 27, 2008, 07:20 local (12:20 UTC)
- Place: Leonardtown, MD
- Coordinates: 38.315277, -76.550003
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3153&lon=-76.5500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67458
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67458/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA093

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare during the landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Dayton James L PITBULL JD-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05622XO), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Dayton James L PITBULL JD-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05622XO), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was "crow hopping" down the runway in the amateur-built Pit Bull JD-3 gyrocopter, practicing landings and takeoffs.  During one of the landings, he did not control the rate of descent, and the gyrocopter "settled" hard on the runway. After contacting the ground, the left main landing gear collapsed and the gyrocopter rolled onto its left side, substantially damaging the fuselage. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the gyrocopter. Additionally, he reported 2 hours of flight experience in a similar gyrocopter, 8 months prior to the accident.  The pilot did not hold a rotorcraft-gyroplane rating.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated he was "crow hopping" down the runway in the amateur-built Pit Bull JD-3 gyrocopter, practicing landing and taking off.  During one of the landings, he did not control the rate of descent, and the gyrocopter "settled" hard on the runway. During the impact, the left main landing gear collapsed and the gyrocopter rolled onto its left side, substantially damaging the fuselage. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the gyrocopter. Additionally, he reported 2 hours of flight experience in a similar gyrocopter, 8 months prior to the accident.  The pilot did not hold a rotorcraft-gyroplane rating.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6592H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6592H-2018-04-05), registration cancelled 2018-04-05, S/N 1, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: James Dayton Pit Bull JD-3
- Registry model: [Dayton James L PITBULL JD-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/dayton-james-l-pitbull-jd-3) (registry code 05622XO) (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: 1
- Airframe hours: 0
- Engines: Subaru EA81 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Flight test, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Dayton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 2W6, Leonardtown, MD
- Destination: 2W6, Leonardtown, MD
- Airport: 2W6, St. Mary's County Regional, runway 11, 4,150 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2006; flight hours: 750 total, 2 in this make and model, 650 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observed at: NHK, 8 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 20080127011239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080127011239A), Jan 27, 2008: Dayton PITBULLJD3, Leonardtown, MD, Substantial damage. (-23) Maiden flight of homebuilt experimental gyrocopter. The pilot [privacy data omitted] failed to maintain control of the airplane N6592H on initial landing…

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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