# NTSB WPR24LA077: Dennis Smith Eclipse 10, N70WP, Yuma, AZ, January 17, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 17, 2024, 13:38 local (20:38 UTC) - Place: Yuma, AZ - Coordinates: 32.652558, -114.6105 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6526&lon=-114.6105&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: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 193677 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193677/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193677 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA077 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to takeoff with low rotor RPM and his subsequent loss of control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dennis Smith ECLIPSE 10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05637KI), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01060000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Dennis Smith ECLIPSE 10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01060000/cases.md?model=05637KI), [All aircraft, 63 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01060000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Dennis Smith ECLIPSE 10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=05637KI), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/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: [Dennis Smith ECLIPSE 10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05637KI), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the gyroplane was preparing for takeoff, but he noticed that the brakes felt mushy and were not properly holding as he increased engine power. Consequently, when the main rotor RPM reached 150 RPM, he released the brakes and increased power. The gyroplane then rolled over onto its side. According to the Pilot’s Operating Handbook, takeoff with 150-200 main rotor RPM “requires a high skill,” and normal takeoffs are initiated when 220 main rotor RPM is attained. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation and acknowledged that he should have aborted the takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N70WP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70WP-2025-05-19), registration cancelled 2025-05-19, S/N 07175401014, built 2018 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DENNIS SMITH ECLIPSE 10 - Registry model: [Dennis Smith ECLIPSE 10](https://openairdocs.org/model/dennis-smith-eclipse-10) (registry code 05637KI) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 914UL](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914ul) (registry code 55553, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 07175401014 - Year built: 2018 - Airframe hours: 230.6 - Engines: Rotax 914 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Smith Dennis P - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 19, 2023, 53.4 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: NYL, Yuma International Airport, runway 17, 5,710 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; last flight review May 5, 2023; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 17,736 total, 150 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KNYL - METAR: KNYL 172032Z VRB06KT 7SM BKN200 22/M01 A2994 RMK AO2 T02171011 ## 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 20240117000429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240117000429A), Jan 17, 2024: Dennis Smith ECLIPSE 10, Yuma, AZ, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted], Rotocraft eclipse 10, while attempting takeoff from runway 17 rolled over onto its side. POB: 1, injuries: 1 minor, damage:… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 8, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193677. 8.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16702752&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation - pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16703547&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20Pilot-Rel.pdf - POH excerpts (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 881 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16704500&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=POH%20Excerts-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 3 photos, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16703557&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20WPR24LA077-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.