# NTSB SEA90LA035: Stanger Aircommander 532, Hansen, ID, January 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 11, 1990, 13:42 local (20:42 UTC)
- Place: Hansen, ID
- Coordinates: 42.449279, -114.260414 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4493&lon=-114.2604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41163
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41163/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA035

## Probable cause

FAILUE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE GYROCOPTER AFTER ENTERING AN ABRUPT PULL-UP FROM A LOW PASS. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO FOLLOW PROCEDURES/DIRECTIVES, HIS LACK OF CERTIFICATION (QUALIFICATION) FOR THIS FLIGHT, AND HIS LACK OF FLYING EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - qualification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - pull-up - performed, pilot in command
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A SALES DEMO FLIGHT IN THE UNCERTIFICATED GYROPLANE, PERFORMING MANEUVERS AT A LOW ALTITUDE. HE MADE A LOW PASS AT 15 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, AND INITIATED A STEEP ANGLE, MAXIMUM RATE CLIMB TO APPROX 50 FEET. THE ACFT SPUN TO THE RIGHT, ROLLED ONTO ITS SIDE, DESCENDED VERTIALLY AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE UNLICENSED PILOT HAD ABOUT 23 HOURS FLIGHT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: STANGER AIRCOMMANDER 532 (AIRCOMMAND)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0572
- Airframe hours: 14
- Engines: ROTAX 532 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Preston E. Stanger

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; flight hours: 23 total, 23 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TWF, 9 nm away

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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