# NTSB WPR20CA253: Robert D Carr Jr Cavalon, N635BC, Upper Lake, CA, August 4, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 4, 2020, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Upper Lake, CA - Coordinates: 39.163612, -122.88277 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1636&lon=-122.8828&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101735 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA253 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101735/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101735 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA253 ## Probable cause The pilot’s distraction and failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a low altitude maneuver, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robert D Carr JR CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=056362I), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robert D Carr JR CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056362I), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robert D Carr JR CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=056362I), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Robert D Carr JR CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=056362I), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robert D Carr JR CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056362I), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the gyroplane reported that, while maneuvering at low altitude over a friend’s property, he looked down and backwards to the ground and inadvertently pulled back on the control stick, slowing the gyroplane to about 20 mph. He attempted to correct by applying full engine power and descending to reestablish airspeed. Concerned the gyroplane would impact trees, he flared just above a wooded area. The gyroplane fell through the trees to the ground substantially damaging the tail section. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N635BC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N635BC-2022-02-12), registration cancelled 2022-02-12, S/N V00320, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robert D Carr Jr Cavalon - Registry model: [Robert D Carr JR CAVALON](https://openairdocs.org/model/robert-d-carr-jr-cavalon) (registry code 056362I) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 914UL](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914ul) (registry code 55553, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: VO0320 - Year built: 2017 - Airframe hours: 272 - Engines: Rotax 914 UL 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 2020 - Departed: 1O2, Lakeport, CA - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: serious; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 853.8 total, 71.8 in this make and model, 803.3 as pilot in command, 71.3 in the last 90 days, 24.8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.99 inHg - Turbulence: Light - Observed at: KUKI, 74 nm away ## 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 20200804011619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200804011619A), Aug 4, 2020: Robert D Carr Jr CAVALON, Upper Lake, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft was in cruise with pilot and one passenger on board. The airman provided a statement that he lost altitude and airspeed due to his incorrect control… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 14, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101735. 24.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 11.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12431043&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR20CA253%20Pilot%20Report%20Form_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 7 pages, 7 photos, 13.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12473794&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20WPR20CA253_Redacted-Rel.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.