# NTSB WPR23LA085: Auto-Gyro Cavalon, N518DT, Benson, AZ, December 19, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: December 19, 2022
- Place: Benson, AZ
- Coordinates: 31.999444, -110.35797 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9994&lon=-110.3580&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: 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: Scottsdale FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 106555
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106555/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106555
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA085

## Probable cause

A loss of directional control on takeoff, which resulted in the collapse of the nose wheel strut and a runway excursion.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [David L Thompson CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056349F), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: [David L Thompson CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056349F), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [David L Thompson CAVALON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056349F), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the gyroplane reported that, typically after reaching a speed of about 45-50 mph during the takeoff roll and just before takeoff, the nosewheel becomes light. He stated that for the accident flight the nose became light as expected, but then suddenly dropped, and the nose gear contacted the runway hard. The gyroplane veered left, and he depressed full right rudder. The main rotor impacted the runway, and the gyroplane departed the runway and came to rest on its side, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and rotor system. A postaccident examination of the flight controls revealed no anomalies. Further examination revealed the nose gear appeared to be bent aft and right and exhibited damage consistent with a hard impact. The runway surface exhibited witness marks consistent with a hard impact of the nose gear.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N518DT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N518DT-2023-08-02), registration cancelled 2023-08-02, S/N V00251, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Auto-Gyro Cavalon
- Registry model: [David L Thompson CAVALON](https://openairdocs.org/model/david-l-thompson-cavalon) (registry code 056349F) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 914UL](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914ul) (registry code 55553, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: V00251
- Year built: 2016
- Airframe hours: 425
- Engines: Rotax 914 UL 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Departed: E95, Benson, AZ
- Destination: E95, Benson, AZ
- Airport: E95, Benson Municpal, runway 10, 4,002 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 79; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 24, 2019; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,234 total, 425 in this make and model, 1,133 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observed at: KFHU, 27 nm away
- METAR: SPECI KFHU 191651Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 08/M03 A3026 RMK AO2 SLP236=

## 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 20221219020519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221219020519A), Dec 19, 2022: David L Thompson CAVALON, Benson, AZ, Substantial damage. On 12/19/2022 at approximately 0930 MST, an amateur built Cavalon gyroplane prepared for takeoff at Benson Municipal Airport (E95). VMC conditions and calm to…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 2, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106555. 7.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 5.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14955403&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_flat_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15015674&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=photos-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record a�� FAA inspector's statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15000241&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MemoFAA-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15001189&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20Pilotpdf-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, manufacturer (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 74 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15000930&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandumof%20Record%20Manufacturer-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.

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