NTSB Identification: CEN13CA017
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, October 20, 2012 in Bourland, TX
Probable Cause Approval Date: 04/10/2013
Aircraft: HUNTHROP AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT, registration: N589DH
Injuries: 1 Serious.
NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The private pilot, who had 10 hours of dual instruction and 1.5 hours of solo flight in the gyroplane make and model, was performing touch-and-go landings in the gyroplane in pursuit of a gyroplane endorsement when the gyroplane impacted terrain during a takeoff, and the fuselage was substantially damaged. The pilot could not recall the accident sequence. The wind at the time of the accident was from 190 degrees at 19 knots gusting to 27 knots. Documentation showed that the pilot had been signed off by his flight instructor to operate the gyroplane solo in wind up to 9 knots. A visual examination of the gyroplane did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the information available, it is likely the pilot did not maintain directional control while taking off in the gyroplane in strong, gusty wind conditions.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's decision to fly the gyroplane in gusty wind conditions that exceeded his limitations and his resultant loss of control during takeoff.
While performing touch-and-go training, the gyrocraft impacted terrain during a takeoff from the runway. The gyroplane's fuselage was substantially damaged. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the solo private pilot sustained a broken arm and a concussion; the pilot could not recall the accident sequence. In addition, the pilot was training to obtain a gyrocraft endorsement and had been signed off by his flight instructor to operate solo in winds up to 9 knots. Winds at the time of the accident were 20 degrees from runway heading at 19 knots gusting to 27 knots. At the time of the accident, the pilot had accumulated about 271 hours total time with 10 hours dual and 1.5 hours solo in make and model. A visual examination of the gyrocraft did not reveal any preimpact anomalies.
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 589DH Make/Model: EXP Description: AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT
Date: 10/20/2012 Time: 1646
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Serious Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Unknown
LOCATION
City: FORT WORTH State: TX Country: US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT ON TAKEOFF, CRASHED OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, BOURLAND FIELD,
FORT WORTH, TX
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
# Crew: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 1 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
OTHER DATA
Activity: Pleasure Phase: Take-off Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: FORT WORTH, TX (SW19) Entry date: 10/22/2012
PARKER COUNTY — A pilot was hospitalized after his experimental helicopter crashed in Parker County Saturday morning.
The gyroplane went down around 11:20 a.m. while performing touch-and-go maneuvers at Bourland Field Airport near Cresson, 17 miles southwest of Fort Worth.
Department of Public Safety Trooper Gary Rozzell investigating the crash said the 60-year-old pilot lost control in strong winds. No one else was on board.
The pilot was critically injured, but his condition was stabilized before being transported to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth.
The pilot's name was not released pending notification of his family.
Gyroplanes are a specially classified aircraft that use a rotary wing, similar to a helicopter. They fly safely at low altitudes and low speeds, but they can't hover as a helicopter can.
http://www.wfaa.com
A Fort Worth man is in critical but stable condition after his experimental aircraft was downed at Bourland Airfield.
Gary Rozzell with the Department of Public Safety said 60-year-old Willaim Don Hunthrop of Fort Worth was flying an experimental gyroplane.
Rozzell says Hunthrop was doing "touch and goes" for license requirements at Bourland Airfield in Cresson, TX in Tarrant County.
Hunthrop was injured in the incident and airlifted to John Peter Smith Hospital in critical but stable condition.
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