# NTSB NYC84FNA02: Air & Space Gyroplane 18A, N6129S, Harwich, MA, August 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1984, 18:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Harwich, MA
- Location: 41.6862° N, 70.0759° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Harwich, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6862&lon=-70.0759&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35410
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FNA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35410/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FNA02

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - water,glassy
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

CRUISING AT 500 FT OVER WATER THE PLT ENCOUNTERED FOG. IN AN EFFORT TO MAINTAIN VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE SHORELINE THE PLT BEGAN A DESCENT AND BEGAN A TURN TO AVOID THE FOG. DURING THE DESCENDING TURN THE ACFT GOT LOW AND SLOW AND THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE DESCENT. DESPITE FULL POWER THE ACFT FLEW INTO THE SHALLOW WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6129S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6129S-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 18-35, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR & SPACE GYROPLANE 18A (GYROPLANE)
- Registry model: [Air & Space America 18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-space-america-18a) (registry code 0440104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane
- Serial number: 18-35
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Heinz J. Poetsch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 17, 1984, 42 hours before
- Departed: WST, WESTERLY, RI
- Destination: 0B6, CHATHAM, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 325 total, 206 in this make and model, 254 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk

## 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 19840813040219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840813040219A), Aug 13, 1984: Beech 18*, Harwick, MA, Substantial damage. Encountered a fog bank along shoreline. Descending turn initiated to maintain contact. Flew into ocean offshore.

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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