# NTSB WPR24LA044: Theodore C Kalman ELA Eclipse 10, N82TK, Yuma, AZ, November 17, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: November 16, 2023, 17:38 local (Nov 17, 2023, 00:38 UTC)
- Place: Yuma, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.656574, -114.60598
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6566&lon=-114.6060&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193448
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193448/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193448
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA044

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain.

## 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: [Theodore C Kalman ELA ECLIPSE 10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05636PS), [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: [Theodore C Kalman ELA ECLIPSE 10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05636PS), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Theodore C Kalman ELA ECLIPSE 10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05636PS), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Theodore C Kalman ELA ECLIPSE 10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05636PS), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the gyroplane reported that, during a touch-and-go landing to the runway, he encountered a gusting wind, causing the gyroplane to veer left to the grass. Subsequently, the gyroplane collided with the runway hold short sign, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82TK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82TK), registered now, S/N 04175271014, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: THEODORE C KALMAN ELA ECLIPSE 10
- Registry model: [Theodore C Kalman ELA ECLIPSE 10](https://openairdocs.org/model/theodore-c-kalman-ela-eclipse-10) (registry code 05636PS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 914UL](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914ul) (registry code 55553, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 04175271014
- Year built: 2017
- Airframe hours: 291
- Engines: Rotax 914 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, January 12, 2022
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: NYL, Yuma Mcas/Yuma Intl, runway 17/35, 5,710 × 150 ft, concrete
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; last flight review May 5, 2023; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 17,722 total, 150 in this make and model, 16,938 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observed at: KNYL, 1 nm away
- METAR: KNYL 170057Z COR 25004KT 7SM BKN070 19/15 A2994 RMK AO2 SLP138 T01940150 $

## 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 20231116016969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231116016969A), Nov 16, 2023: Theodore C Kalman ELA ECLIPSE 10, Yuma, AZ, Substantial damage. The autogyro aircraft taxied for departure at the knyl airport. The purpose of the flight was to practice touch-and-go landings. After the final landing and…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 8, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193448. 4.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16548655&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR24LA044%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 505 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16548036&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20WPR24LA044-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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