# NTSB SEA02LA142: Kaminski RAF 2000, N73GK, Newberg, OR, August 3, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 2, 2002, 19:30 local (Aug 3, 2002, 02:30 UTC) - Place: Newberg, OR - Coordinates: 45.323612, -123.053886 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3236&lon=-123.0539&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Hillsboro FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55396 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA02LA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55396/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55396 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA142 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation (excessive altitude) for crosswind conditions resulting in the gyroplane's rotors contacting the ground. Contributing factors were the gusty crosswind conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - altitude - excessive, pilot in command - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing ## Analysis The pilot of the RAF 2000 gyroplane was executing a landing to runway 25 at a small airport with strong gusty winds out of the north. As the gyroplane was slowing, and about six feet above ground, a gust of wind rapidly rolled the aircraft left about its longitudinal axis and the rotor disk struck the runway surface. The aircraft then impacted terrain and came to rest damaging the rotor assembly and pylon. The pilot reported that he should have been lower (4 feet above ground vice 6 feet) and should have given himself a longer final in order to have more time to set up for the crosswind conditions. ## Factual narrative On August 2, 2002, approximately 1930 Pacific daylight time, a homebuilt Kaminski RAF 2000 gyroplane, N73GK, registered to and operated/flown by a private pilot sustained substantial damage during landing when the main rotor blade impacted the runway following a loss of control on landing at the Chehalem Airpark, Newberg, Oregon. The pilot incurred minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was operated under 14 CFR 91, and originated from the accident airport approximately one hour earlier. In a telephone interview the pilot reported that he was landing on runway 25 at Chehalem Airpark and had decelerated to about five miles per hour. He had acquired wind information from McMinnville, Oregon, radio prior to his landing and was aware that the winds were out of the north at 12 knots. He also noted the windsock was oriented 90 degrees to the runway and swinging back and forth approximately 20 degrees. As the gyroplane was slowing, and about six feet above ground, a gust of wind rapidly rolled the aircraft left about its longitudinal axis and the rotor disk struck the runway surface. The aircraft then impacted terrain and came to rest damaging the rotor assembly and pylon (refer to graphic image I). The pilot reported that he "...should have been lower (4 f[ee]t)..." rather than 6 feet and recommended a longer final in order to have more time to set up for the crosswind conditions (refer to attached NTSB Form 6120.1/2). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N73GK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73GK), registered now, S/N H2-00-11-478 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Kaminski RAF 2000 - Registry model: [Kaminski Gary D RAF 2000 GYROPLANE](https://openairdocs.org/model/kaminski-gary-d-raf-2000-gyroplane) (registry code 05611Z9) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Subaru ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 59050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: H2-00-11-478 - Airframe hours: 91 - Engines: Subaru EJ22 130 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kaminski, Gary D. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: AAIP, July 4, 2002, 15 hours before - Departed: 17S, Newberg, OR - Destination: 17S - Airport: 17S, Chehalem Airpark, runway 25, 2,285 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 21, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 374 total, 99 in this make and model, 314 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: MMV, 9 nm away ## 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 20020802018679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020802018679A), Aug 2, 2002: Amtr RAF2000, Newberg, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was making an approach to land at 17S with a gusty crosswind. He made a short approach and did not fly a stabilized final approach. The aircraft… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 10, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55396. 413 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 309 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465872&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo 1. A view of N73GK looking west along the south edge of the runway following the loss of control and ground impact. Digital Image (item 2, .PDF, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40180213&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20%20A%20view%20of%20N73GK%20looking%20west%20along%20the%20south%20edge%20of%20the%20runway%20following%20the%20loss%20of%20control%20and%20ground%20impact.%20%20Digital%20Image-Master.PDF 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.