# NTSB SEA08CA204: Goetz RAF 2000, N554BG, Mulino, OR, September 18, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 17, 2008, 17:00 local (Sep 18, 2008, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Mulino, OR
- Coordinates: 45.21611, -122.589996 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2161&lon=-122.5900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 10, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68949
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68949/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA204

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Goetz Byron RAF 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05621W4), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Goetz Byron RAF 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05621W4), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was conducting flight tests on the gyrocopter. After performing a series of high-speed taxi tests and takeoffs, the pilot brought the gyrocopter around in the pattern for a landing. As the gyrocopter landed, it veered to the right and came to rest on its side. Post accident examination by the Federal Aviation Administration accident coordinator did not reveal any control anomalies. The gyrocopter had approximately 40 hours of flight time, and the pilot had 11 hours in make and model.

## Factual narrative

The pilot submitted a written statement and reported that he was conducting flight tests on the gyrocopter. After performing a series of high-speed taxis and lift-offs, the pilot brought the gyrocopter around in the pattern. As the gyrocopter landed, it veered to the right and came to rest on its side. Post accident examination by the Federal Aviation Administration accident coordinator did not reveal any control anomalies. The gyrocopter had approximately 40 hours of flight time, and the pilot had 11 hours in make and model.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N554BG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N554BG-2018-02-15), registration cancelled 2018-02-15, S/N H2-05-16-643, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Goetz RAF 2000
- Registry model: [Goetz Byron RAF 2000](https://openairdocs.org/model/goetz-byron-raf-2000) (registry code 05621W4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: H2-05-16-643
- Engines: Subaru EJ22 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 4S9, Malino, OR
- Destination: 4S9, Malino, OR
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: 4S9, Portland-Mulino, runway 32, 3,425 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 168 total, 11 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
- Observed at: USA

## 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 20080917846529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080917846529A), Sep 17, 2008: Amtr RAF2000, Portland-Mulin, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) On WEDNESDA6Y, August 17, 2008 at approximately 1700 local time, the PIC of N554BG was practicing landings on runway 32, when on his third landing he…

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.

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