# NTSB SEA05CA195: Eiland RAF-200 Gyro, N4416N, Bend, OR, September 18, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 18, 2005, 12:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Bend, OR - Coordinates: 44.094722, -121.200553 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0947&lon=-121.2006&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 62496 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05CA195 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62496/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05CA195 ## Probable cause The malfunction of the flight controls for an undetermined reason, which resulted in a loss of control and in-flight collision with terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb - flight control system - malfunction (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - roadway/highway ## Analysis According to the pilot, during the initial takeoff climb from runway 34, he noticed that the "controls felt sluggish compared to normal precise feeling of the gyroplane." He decided to execute a 180 degree turn back to the taxiway parallel to the runway. As soon as he began a shallow turn to the right, the gyroplane entered "a very steep diving spiral turn," and the controls "seemed totally ineffective." The gyroplane continued to descend and turn until it impacted a road running perpendicular to the runway about 50 feet north of the departure end. The pilot reported that the "cause of control malfunction is uncertain." ## Factual narrative On September 18, 2005, about 1215 Pacific daylight time, an Eiland RAF-2000 Gyro amateur-built experimental gyroplane, N4416N, collided with terrain in an uncontrolled descent following a loss of control on takeoff from Bend Municipal Airport, Bend, Oregon. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot sustained minor injuries, and the passenger was not injured. The gyroplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 local personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, during the initial takeoff climb from runway 34, he noticed that the "controls felt sluggish compared to normal precise feeling of the gyroplane." He decided to execute a 180 degree turn back to the taxiway parallel to the runway. As soon as he began a shallow turn to the right, the gyroplane entered "a very steep diving spiral turn," and the controls "seemed totally ineffective." The gyroplane continued to descend and turn until it impacted a road running perpendicular to the runway about 50 feet north of the departure end. The pilot reported that the "cause of control malfunction is uncertain." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4416N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4416N-2013-09-12), registration cancelled 2013-09-12, S/N 001, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Eiland RAF-200 Gyro - Registry model: [Eiland M T RAF-2000 GYRO](https://openairdocs.org/model/eiland-m-t-raf-2000-gyro) (registry code 056060A) (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: 001 - Engines: Subaru 2.2 L EJ22 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Private Individual - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: S07, Bend, OR - Airport: S07, Bend Municipal Airport, runway 34 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 710 total, 260 in this make and model, 90 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20050918022549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050918022549A), Sep 18, 2005: Amtr RAF2000, Bend, OR, Destroyed. (-23) The aircraft experienced some difficulty during take-off roll. Aircraft took-off normally and climbed to 60 or 70 feet, the pilot noticed something wrong… 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.