# NTSB NYC99LA053: Grove AIR Command, N52910, Centre Hall, PA, January 27, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 27, 1999, 17:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Centre Hall, PA
- Coordinates: 40.83979, -77.680541 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8398&lon=-77.6805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 18, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 45702
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC99LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45702/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA053

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line.  A factor was the sunglare.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The gyroplane took off and flew around a witness's house.  It then headed toward the northwest, and collided with a nearby power line.  The pilot stated that the last thing he remembered was being blinded by the sun.

## Factual narrative

On January 27, 1999, about 1720 Eastern Standard Time, a homebuilt Air Command gyroplane, N52910, was substantially damaged when it collided with a power line near Centre Airpark (N16), Centre Hall, Pennsylvania.  The certificated private pilot was seriously injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  No flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

A witness stated that the gyroplane took off from the airpark and flew around the witness's house.  It then headed toward the northwest, and collided with a nearby power line.  The pilot stated that the last thing he remembered was being blinded by the sun.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, one of the gyroplane's landing gear was found in the vicinity of the power line, while the main wreckage was found about 100 feet to the north.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52910](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52910-1999-11-06), registration cancelled 1999-11-06, S/N RIG 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GROVE AIR COMMAND (AIR COMMAN)
- Registry model: [Grove Robert I AIR COMMAND](https://openairdocs.org/model/grove-robert-i-air-command) (registry code 05624SY) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: RIG1
- Airframe hours: 320
- Engines: Rotax 503 48 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert I. Grove
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 17, 1998, 14 hours before
- Departed: N16
- Airport: N16, Centre Hall Airpark, runway 24, 3,100 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 940 total, 940 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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).

- [Incident 19990127000789I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990127000789I), Jan 27, 1999: Amtr AIRCMDRAC503, Centre Hall, PA, Substantial damage. Experimental air command gyrocopter crashed into a field under unknown circumstances 1/2 mile nw of Centre airpark.(-5) the gyroplane took off and flew around…

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.