ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 359504
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| Date: | Saturday 10 December 1994 |
| Time: | 15:26 LT |
| Type: |  Bensen B8M |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | UNREG |
| MSN: | |
| Total airframe hrs: | 10 hours |
| Engine model: | VOLKSWAGEN 1835 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Adelanto, CA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A DRY LAKE BED IN THE UNREGISTERED AND UNCERTIFICATED GYROCOPTER, THE PILOT TURNED CROSSWIND AND THEN DOWNWIND AT A WITNESS-ESTIMATED ALTITUDE OF BETWEEN 200 AND 300 FEET AGL. THE WITNESS SAW THE AIRCRAFT DESCEND AND STRIKE POWER LINES, THEN FALL TO THE GROUND. THE PILOT OF A SECOND AIRCRAFT THAT TOOK OFF AHEAD OF THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT STATED THAT AS HE TURNED DOWNWIND, HE FOUND IT NECESSARY TO ADD BOTH POWER AND COLLECTIVE IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE BECAUSE OF THE WINDS. THE AIRFRAME WAS EXAMINED WITH NO DISCREPANCIES NOTED. THE GYROCOPTER IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN AIRSPEED INDICATOR AND THE PILOT MUST JUDGE HIS AIRSPEED BY RELATIVE GROUND MOTION.
Probable Cause: the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions during the downwind turn and his resulting failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm. A factor in the accident was the lack of an airspeed indicator.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB LAX95LA047
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 15-Mar-2024 11:40 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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