# NTSB NYC85LA154: McCulloch J-2, N4328G, Cortland, NY, June 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1985, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Cortland, NY
- Coordinates: 42.600322, -76.180778 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6003&lon=-76.1808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35897
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35897/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA154

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, taxi - to takeoff
  - rotor drive system,main rotor drive belt - undetermined (contributing factor)
  - adequate rotor rpm - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instrument - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, taxi - to takeoff
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - disabled (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE ROTOR BLADE CONTACTED THE TAIL RUDDERS BECAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT ROTOR SPEED. THE ROTOR BLADESWERE THROWN OUT OF TRACK AND THE GYROPLANE LOST CONTROL. THE INSUFFICIENT ROTOR RPM WAS DUE TO A ROTOR OR PULLEY BELT STRIPPING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4328G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4328G-1989-01-12), registration cancelled 1989-01-12, S/N 038 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: McCulloch J-2
- Registry model: [Mcculloch J-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcculloch-j-2) (registry code 5500604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane
- Serial number: 038
- Airframe hours: 271
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A20 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Scott Powers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 1985
- Airport: runway 00

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 143 total, 18 in this make and model, 116 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19850623027069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850623027069A), Jun 23, 1985: Aerors J2MCCULH, Homer, NY, Substantial damage. Lost control and rolled over after rotor blades contacted tail rudders. Rotator pulley belts were slipping.

## Other investigations on N4328G (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI77FEC39](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77FEC39), Jun 26, 1977: Mcculloch J-2 (N4328G), Flint, MI, substantial damage

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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