# NTSB WPR12CA404: Korrison Tom Sparrow Hawk, N51140, Spanish Fork, UT, September 7, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 7, 2012, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Spanish Fork, UT - Coordinates: 40.141387, -111.661109 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1414&lon=-111.6611&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 84967 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA404 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84967/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84967 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA404 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the gyroplane during an aborted takeoff. ## 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: [Korrison Tom SPARROW HAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05621SM), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Korrison Tom SPARROW HAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05621SM), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Korrison Tom SPARROW HAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05621SM), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Korrison Tom SPARROW HAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05621SM), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot had been receiving dual instruction in a gyroplane. During the takeoff portion of his first solo flight in the gyroplane, it began drifting toward the edge of the runway. Although the pilot aborted the takeoff and tried to realign the gyroplane with the runway, his control inputs resulted in the gyroplane rolling onto its side, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and rotor blades. According to the pilot, there was no indication of any preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The private pilot, who held an airplane single engine land rating, had been taking dual instruction in a gyroplane. During the takeoff portion of his first solo flight in the gyroplane, it began drifting toward the edge of the runway. Although the pilot initiated an abort and tried to realign the gyroplane with the runway, his control inputs resulted in the gyroplane rolling onto its side, whereupon it sustained substantial damage. According to the pilot, there was no indication of any mechanical malfunction. Wind conditions were calm. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N51140](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51140-2017-10-27), registration cancelled 2017-10-27, S/N SH2005006K, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: KORRISON TOM SPARROW HAWK - Registry model: [Korrison Tom SPARROW HAWK](https://openairdocs.org/model/korrison-tom-sparrow-hawk) (registry code 05621SM) (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: SH2005006K - Engines: SUBARU ALL MDLS A/B 400 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: D'Ewart Jay C - Registered owner: D'Ewart Jay C - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: U77, Spanish Fork, UT - Destination: U77, Spanish Fork, UT - Airport: U77, Spanish Fork - Springville, runway 12, 5,700 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 90 total, 50 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F ## 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 20120907019749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120907019749A), Sep 7, 2012: Korrison Tom SPARROW HAWK, Spanish Fork, UT, Substantial damage. Pilot was performing take-off roll of solo flight in this aircraft type and lost control of the aircraft causing it to veer off the left side of the runway.… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 5, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84967. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378252&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.