# NTSB SEA99LA129: Vanek Sport Copter, N61887, Scappoose, OR, July 24, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 24, 1999, 12:10 local (19:10 UTC) - Place: Scappoose, OR - Coordinates: 45.800697, -122.969291 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8007&lon=-122.9693&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 3 fatal - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46989 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46989/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA129 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The failure of the ultralight operator to see and avoid the landing gyroplane, and the gyroplane pilot's inability to see the departing ultralight vehicle. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The failure of the ultralight operator to see and avoid the landing gyroplane, and the gyroplane pilot's inability to see the departing ultralight vehicle. ## Analysis (aircraft 2) A witness observed the gyroplane on final approach to land on the taxiway. When the gyroplane was about 200-250 feet high on final, the witness saw a high-wing ultralight vehicle climb into view, after takeoff from the taxiway. The ultralight's climb was described as very steep. The witness stated that 'the ultralight impacted the gyroplane, very hard, at the aft end striking the rudder with the ultralight[']s propeller. I could see many pieces of debris in the air at the point of impact. Both aircraft were stopped in the mid-air. The ultralight raised up into the rotor system of the gyroplane coming in contact with the rotor blade. This impact threw the ultralight off to the right, and then it came in, nose down, landing on the right side of the taxi way. The gyroplane after being hit from behind, stopped in mid-air. The rotor blade, after being hit by the ultralight, lost 7 ft. on one side (of a 29 foot blade) rendering the rotor system completely ineffective. The gyroplane then spun slowly on its side, in the air, approximately 200 ft. above ground.' ## Analysis (aircraft 1) A witness observed the gyroplane on final approach to land on the taxiway. When the gyroplane was about 200-250 feet high on final, the witness saw a high-wing ultralight vehicle climb into view, after takeoff from the taxiway. The ultralight's climb was described as very steep. The witness stated that 'the ultralight impacted the gyroplane, very hard, at the aft end striking the rudder with the ultralight[']s propeller. I could see many pieces of debris in the air at the point of impact. Both aircraft were stopped in the mid-air. The ultralight raised up into the rotor system of the gyroplane coming in contact with the rotor blade. This impact threw the ultralight off to the right, and then it came in, nose down, landing on the right side of the taxi way. The gyroplane after being hit from behind, stopped in mid-air. The rotor blade, after being hit by the ultralight, lost 7 ft. on one side (of a 29 foot blade) rendering the rotor system completely ineffective. The gyroplane then spun slowly on its side, in the air, approximately 200 ft. above ground.' ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On July 24, 1999, approximately 1210 Pacific daylight time, a Vanek Sport Copter gyroplane, N61887, and an unregistered ultralight were destroyed by inflight impact and ensuing ground impact after a mid-air collision at Scappoose, Oregon, airport. The gyroplane's Airline Transport Pilot and non-rated passenger, and the private pilot aboard the ultralight, were fatally injured. No flight plan was filed for the local demonstration flight by the gyroplane pilot or for the local flight by the ultralight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Witnesses described the gyroplane as being on approach to land on the parallel taxiway to runway 15, about 400 feet above ground level at the approach end of the runway. The ultralight pilot was at the approach end. Witnesses described the impact as occurring when the gyroplane was descending and the ultralight was climbing after takeoff. The owner of the gyroplane stated that he heard the gyroplane overhead on his downwind leg, when he decided to come outside in front of the Sport Copter building to watch the landing. He stated, in part, that the gyroplane pilot "was on final approach at approximately 500-700 feet on taxiway 15. A wind out of the south, 5-7 mph, slowed the decent (sic) of the gyro moving forward slowly. Watching the gyro approach closer at the altitude of approximately 200-250 ft. I saw an orange high wing ultralight airplane climb above the hangars. The climb was very steep (approx. 40 degrees), then suddenly he pulled up. Upon realizing he was getting awfully close to the gyroplane, already on final in the landing pattern, I waved at [the gyroplane pilot] and the ultralight with both arms, but was unable to get their attention." The gyroplane owner continued, stating that "the ultralight impacted the gyroplane, very hard, at the aft end striking the rudder with the ultralight[']s propeller. I could see many pieces of debris in the air at the point of impact. Both aircraft were stopped in the mid-air. The ultralight raised up into the rotor system of the gyroplane coming in contact with the rotor blade. This impact threw the ultralight off to the right, and then it came in, nose down, landing on the right side of the taxi way. The gyroplane after being hit from behind, stopped in mid-air. The rotor blade, after being hit by the ultralight, lost 7 ft. on one side (of a 29 foot blade) rendering the rotor system completely ineffective. The gyroplane then spun slowly on its side, in the air, approximately 200 ft. above ground." Toxicological testing was negative. An autopsy was not performed. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On July 24, 1999, approximately 1210 Pacific daylight time, a Vanek Sport Copter gyroplane, N61887, and an unregistered ultralight were destroyed by inflight impact and ensuing ground impact after a mid-air collision at Scappoose, Oregon, airport. The gyroplane's Airline Transport Pilot and non-rated passenger, and the private pilot aboard the ultralight, were fatally injured. No flight plan was filed for the local demonstration flight by the gyroplane pilot or for the local flight by the ultralight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Witnesses described the gyroplane as being on approach to land on the parallel taxiway to runway 15, about 400 feet above ground level at the approach end of the runway. The ultralight pilot was at the approach end. Witnesses described the impact as occurring when the gyroplane was descending and the ultralight was climbing after takeoff. The owner of the gyroplane stated that he heard the gyroplane overhead on his downwind leg, when he decided to come outside in front of the Sport Copter building to watch the landing. He stated, in part, that the gyroplane pilot "was on final approach at approximately 500-700 feet on taxiway 15. A wind out of the south, 5-7 mph, slowed the decent (sic) of the gyro moving forward slowly. Watching the gyro approach closer at the altitude of approximately 200-250 ft. I saw an orange high wing ultralight airplane climb above the hangars. The climb was very steep (approx. 40 degrees), then suddenly he pulled up. Upon realizing he was getting awfully close to the gyroplane, already on final in the landing pattern, I waved at [the gyroplane pilot] and the ultralight with both arms, but was unable to get their attention." The gyroplane owner continued, stating that "the ultralight impacted the gyroplane, very hard, at the aft end striking the rudder with the ultralight[']s propeller. I could see many pieces of debris in the air at the point of impact. Both aircraft were stopped in the mid-air. The ultralight raised up into the rotor system of the gyroplane coming in contact with the rotor blade. This impact threw the ultralight off to the right, and then it came in, nose down, landing on the right side of the taxi way. The gyroplane after being hit from behind, stopped in mid-air. The rotor blade, after being hit by the ultralight, lost 7 ft. on one side (of a 29 foot blade) rendering the rotor system completely ineffective. The gyroplane then spun slowly on its side, in the air, approximately 200 ft. above ground." Toxicological testing was negative. No autopsy was performed. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, approach - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - Midair collision, climb - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - not possible, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N61887](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61887-2001-04-09), registration cancelled 2001-04-09, S/N 070 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VANEK SPORT COPTER (SPORT COPT) - Registry model: [Vanek James SPORT COPTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/vanek-james-sport-copter) (registry code 056050W) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 070 - Airframe hours: 665 - Engines: Rotax 582 67 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: James Vanek - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 23, 1999, 65 hours before - Departed: 1S4 - Airport: Scappoose Industrial ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Unknown - Category: Ultralight - Engines: reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 103 - Registered owner: Ray K Higbee - Departed: 1S4 - Airport: Scappoose Industrial ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N61887; age 47; airline transport, flight engineer, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 14,309 total - Pilot, aircraft 2; age 54; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 105 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 20 statute miles ## 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 19990724009441A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990724009441A), Jul 24, 1999: Amtr SPORTCOPTER, Scappoose, OR, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Acft collided in mid air with an unregistered ultralight, the 2 POB N61887 suffered fatal injuries and that acft was destroyed, the pilot of the ultralight… 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.