# NTSB NYC87DNE05: Hall B-80M, N180RH, Waterford, CT, September 1, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1987, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Waterford, CT
- Location: 41.3463° N, 72.1293° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Waterford, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3463&lon=-72.1293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30463
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87DNE05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30463/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87DNE05

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft handling - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment(visual deficiency), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE GYROCOPTER WAS OBSERVED TO TOUCH DOWN AND BECOME AIRBORNE AGAIN. AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE IT WAS OBSERVED TO PITCH DOWN, WITH THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRIKING THE GROUND IN FRONT OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT SAID HIS RIGHT CONTACT LENS WASBOTHERING HIM AND HE COULD NOT SEE THROUGH IT VERY WELL. HE STATED THAT ALTHOUGH HE THOUGHT HE WAS TOO HIGH AND CONSIDERED A GO-AROUND, HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE WITH THE LANDING BECAUSE OF THE CONTACT LENS PROBLEM. HE SAID WHEN HE TOUCHED DOWN HE SWERVED TO AVOID BUSHES AND A ROTOR BLADE STRUCK THE GROUND SEVERING THE MAST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N180RH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N180RH-1994-03-17), registration cancelled 1994-03-17, S/N RCH1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HALL B-80M
- Registry model: [Hall Robert C B-80M](https://openairdocs.org/model/hall-robert-c-b-80m) (registry code 130012J) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: RCH-1
- Airframe hours: 20
- Engines: MCCULLOCH 4318GX 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hall, Robert C
- Departed: 7B8
- Destination: 7B8
- Airport: 7B8, Waterford, runway 15, 1,950 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; student; medical: expired; seat: center; flight hours: 20 total, 20 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19870901049029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870901049029A), Sep 1, 1987: Amtrbx BENSENB8M, Waterford, CT, Substantial damage. The gyrocopter bounced on landing. Rotor struck the ground. Student license expired. No airworthiness certificate.

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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