# NTSB SEA04LA012: Garnett-Robert Barnett J4B, N9565A, Prineville, OR, October 27, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 27, 2003, 14:27 local (22:27 UTC) - Place: Prineville, OR - Coordinates: 44.286945, -120.905281 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2869&lon=-120.9053&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58250 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58250/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA012 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall during the initial takeoff climb. A factor was the lack of pilot certification. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of certification, pilot in command (contributing factor) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9565A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9565A-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 91 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Garnett-Robert Barnett J4B - Registry model: [Garnett-Robert BARNETT J4B](https://openairdocs.org/model/garnett-robert-barnett-j4b) (registry code 1302742) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 91 - Engines: Subaru EJ22 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Donald J. Nelson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: S39, Prineville, OR - Airport: S39, Prineville Airport, runway 28, 4,000 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; injuries: none; seat: single ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: RDM, 12 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 20031027028009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031027028009A), Oct 27, 2003: Amtr BARNETTJ4B, Prineville, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) After taxiing the aircraft down the runway in order to develop the rotor RPM required for flight the pilot attempted to takeoff. As the aircraft lifted… 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.