SEA04LA012

The non-certificated pilot said he didn't know he needed a pilot's license or medical certificate to fly the gyrocopter, and that this was the first time he had ever flown the aircraft. The pilot went up and down the runway a number of times getting the feel of the aircraft. After taking off the pilot said he thought he had the stick too far back and that he stalled the aircraft. The aircraft impacted terrain on the left side of the runway, coming to rest on its right side and tilting over about 45 degrees. The pilot had received no flight training before the flight, but had viewed instructional videotapes about flying gyroplanes.

On October 27, 2003, at 1427 Pacific standard time, a Garnett-Robert Barnett J4B rotorcraft, N9565A, sustained substantial damage after a loss of control during initial takeoff climb from the Prineville Airport, Prineville, Oregon. The aircraft was registered to and operated by a private individual. The non-certificated pilot, sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), and in interviews with the NTSB investigator-in-charge and an FAA inspector, the pilot reported that he had purchased the aircraft a couple of years ago. The pilot stated that he didn't know he needed a pilot's license or medical certificate to fly the gyrocopter, and that this was the first time he had ever flown N9565A. The pilot further stated the he went up and down the runway a number of times "getting the feel of the aircraft. Then I tried a takeoff. I think I had the stick too far back, and as I lifted off I stalled." The aircraft impacted terrain on the left side of the runway, coming to rest on its right side and tilting over about 45 degrees. The pilot stated that the cause of the accident might have been the wind gust, stalling the aircraft after pulling too far back on the stick, or "just losing control of it." The pilot reported that he had received no flight training, but had viewed instructional videotapes about flying gyroplanes.

An FAA inspector, who traveled to the accident site, reported that all three propeller blades were damaged, the main rotor blades were destroyed, the mast and cyclic vertical push-pull tubes had separated, and that the right main landing gear had failed at the attachment point with the basic airframe. All three composite blades were broken with approximately 10 inches of each blade remaining attached to the propeller hub.