# NTSB NYC99LA237: Pratt Dominator, N4449N, Auburn, ME, September 25, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 25, 1999, 16:54 local (20:54 UTC) - Place: Auburn, ME - Location: 44.0485° N, 70.2835° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at AUBURN/LEWISTON MUNI (LEW), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0485&lon=-70.2835&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47512 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC99LA237 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47512/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA237 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to execute a 0 airspeed pedal turn at 100 feet agl. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - terrain condition - grass - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was practicing a 180 degree turn with 0 airspeed to a downwind condition at 100 feet agl in his homebuilt gyroplane. He had successfully completed the maneuver once, and was attempting it for a second time. During the second attempt, the pilot slowed the gyroplane until reaching approximately 0 airspeed, then applied pedal to execute the turn. The gyroplane entered a rapid descent. The pilot advanced the throttle, and lowered the nose of the gyroplane to gain airspeed. Recognizing the impending impact, the pilot leveled the rotor's tip-path-plane, and the gyroplane impacted the ground level with forward airspeed. The landing gear collapsed, and the rotor contacted the ground on both sides. In addition, the rotor contacted the engine driven propeller, shearing off all three blades. The gyroplane bounced back into the air, and then impacted the ground for a second time. During the second impact, the gyroplane was level, but rolled right after ground contact, and slid 20 to 30 feet on its side before coming to a stop. According to the kit manufacturer, at 0 airspeed the gyroplane would descend at 1,000 to 1,500 feet per minute. ## Factual narrative On September 25, 1999, at 1654 eastern daylight time, a Dominator homebuilt gyroplane, N4449N, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering at the Auburn Municipal Airport, Auburn, Maine. The certificated private pilot was not injured, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A visual flight rules flight plan was not filed, and the personal local flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he was practicing a 180 degree turn with 0 airspeed to a downwind condition at 100 feet agl when the accident happened. The pilot added that he had just successfully completed the maneuver once, and was attempting it for a second time. During the second attempt, the pilot slowed the gyroplane until reaching approximately 0 airspeed then applied pedal to execute the turn. After completing the turn, the gyroplane entered a rapid descent. The pilot advanced the throttle, and lowered the nose of the gyroplane to gain airspeed. Recognizing the impending impact, the pilot leveled the rotor's tip-path-plane, and the gyroplane impacted the ground level with forward airspeed. The landing gear collapsed, and the rotor contacted the ground on both sides. In addition, the rotor contacted the engine driven propeller, shearing off all three blades. The gyroplane bounced back into the air, and then impacted the ground for a second time. During the second impact, the gyroplane was level, but rolled right after ground contact, and slid 20 to 30 feet on its side before coming to a stop. The pilot reported the winds were approximately 10 knots. He made no mention of any preimpact failures or malfunctions that may have contributed to the accident. According to the manufacture of the kit, the gyroplane would develop a 1,000 to 1,500 foot per minute descent at 0 airspeed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4449N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4449N), registered now, S/N 1, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Pratt DOMINATOR - Registry model: [Pratt Eugene H DOMINATOR](https://openairdocs.org/model/pratt-eugene-h-dominator) (registry code 05606GY) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1 - Airframe hours: 23 - Engines: Rotax 503 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Eugene Pratt - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1999, 23 hours before - Departed: LEW - Airport: LEW, Auburn Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 129 total, 23 in this make and model, 88 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LEW ## 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 19990925029699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990925029699A), Sep 25, 1999: Amtr DOMINATOR, Auburn-Lewiston, ME, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot was practicing a 180 degree turn with 0 airspeed to a downwind condition at 100 feet AGL in his homebuilt gyroplane. He had successfully… 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.