CircumFlightUNREG Reed Roderick KB3 GYROPLANE accident
NTSB CEN11CA336 · 2011-05-14 · Scott, LA
Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant
Summary
According to the pilot he was taking off from a private grass strip with a tailwind. Approximately half way down the runway the gyroplane became airborne. He looked down to check his engine instruments, and when he looked back up he was approaching the end of the runway and a fence line. He was unable to maneuver over the fence and the gyroplane impacted the top of the fence line. The gyroplane's fuselage was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. He said he was aware of the tailwind conditions.
Full narrative
According to a statement obtained from the pilot by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot was attempting to depart a private grass strip with a tailwind. Approximately half way down the runway the gyroplane became airborne. The pilot looked down to check his engine instruments, and when he looked back up he was quickly approaching the end of the runway and a fence line. The pilot was unable to maneuver over the fence and the gyroplane impacted the top of the fence line. The gyroplane's fueslage was substantially damaged. He did not report any preimpact anomalies, and attributed inattention for his descent and collision with the fence. The pilot added that he was aware of the tailwind conditions.
Probable cause
The pilot's poor decision to takeoff with a tailwind which resulted in a runway excursion. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.
Circumstances
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Weather conditions
- Visual Meteorological Cond
- Light condition
- Day
- Sky condition
- NONE
- Ceiling (ft)
- 0
- Visibility (sm)
- 10
- Wind direction
- 330
- Wind speed (kt)
- 10
- Temperature (F)
- 64
- Nearest airport
- Private strip
- Distance from field
- 0.0
Aircraft
| Registration | Make | Model | Damage | FAR part |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNREG | REED RODERICK | KB3 GYROPLANE | SUBS | 103 |
Sequence of events
| # | Occurrence | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Takeoff Runway excursion defining | Takeoff |
| 2 | Takeoff Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) | Takeoff |
Findings
| Finding | |
|---|---|
| Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Tailwind-Effect on operation | factor |
| Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Task monitoring/vigilance-Pilot | cause |