# NTSB WPR22LA134: Autogyro Cavalon, N1688B, El Monte, CA, March 23, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 23, 2022, 11:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: El Monte, CA - Coordinates: 34.050963, -118.02054 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0510&lon=-118.0205&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - 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): 104846 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA134 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104846/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104846 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA134 ## Probable cause The pilot’s diverted attention during landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Chris Chen CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=056326G), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Chris Chen CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056326G), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring equip/instruments](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Chris Chen CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md?model=056326G), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Chris Chen CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056326G), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the gyroplane reported that, during the landing roll, he diverted his attention to the dial of the rotor rpm and the gyroplane inadvertently ascended when he did not hold the control stick steady. He attempted to regain control by pushing the control stick forward, but the gyroplane rolled to the right, and the main rotor blade contacted the ground. The gyroplane came to rest on its left side and sustained substantial damage to the stabilizer and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1688B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1688B), registered now, S/N V00123, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AUTOGYRO CAVALON (NO SERIES EXISTS) - Registry model: [Chris Chen CAVALON](https://openairdocs.org/model/chris-chen-cavalon) (registry code 056326G) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 914 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914-series) (registry code 55575, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: V00123 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 231.8 - Engines: BRP Powertrain Rotax 914 UL 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 11, 2022 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: EMT, San Gabriel Valley, runway 19, 3,995 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; sport pilot, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review October 27, 2020; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 471.4 total, 169 in this make and model, 471.4 as pilot in command, 12.7 in the last 90 days, 3.1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 1 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KEMT - METAR: SA 23/03/2022 17:50-> METAR KEMT 231750Z 13007KT 10SM CLR 28/01 A3014= ## 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 20220323004089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220323004089A), Mar 23, 2022: Chris Chen CAVALON, Elmonte, CA, Substantial damage. At 1145 PDT on 3/23/2022, N1688B, Cavalon gyro copter, experienced a hard landing followed by a rotor strike on runway 19 at el monte (EMT) airport. The… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 2, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104846. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14344383&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR22LA134%206120%20Flat_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 228 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14359565&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo-View%20of%20damages%20to%20stabilizer%20and%20rudder(photo%20courtesy%20of%20pilot-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.