Thursday, January 25, 2018

FoxDominator, N412MF: Accident occurred January 25, 2018 near Indiantown Airport (X58), Martin County, Florida

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Miramar, Florida

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

FoxFly Inc: http://registry.faa.gov/N412MF

Location: Indiantown, FL
Accident Number: ANC18LA021
Date & Time: 01/25/2018, 1447 EST
Registration: N412MF
Aircraft: FOXFLY INC FOXDOMINATOR
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On January 25, 2018, about 1447 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built, FoxFly Inc., gyroplane, N412MF, sustained substantial damage after impacting terrain during takeoff at Indiantown Airport (X58), in Indiantown, Florida. The private pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to the pilot and operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a visual flight rules personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was destined for the pilot's home at Tailwind Airport (FD15) in Jupiter, Florida.

According to a witness statement provided to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the gyroplane commenced its takeoff roll at about 5,600 feet down runway 13, which is a 6,300-foot-long turf runway. The gyroplane started on the far-right side of the runway centerline, then rolled diagonally to the left side beyond the runway side markers, then turned right to parallel runway 13 and continued the takeoff roll beyond the runway end, until it hit a small ditch and then impacted an elevated road. The gyroplane then "flipped" two times while traversing the road and coming to rest on the far side on a steep canal embankment.

The witness stated that the airport wind sock was "standing straight out" from the northeast at almost a direct left to right crosswind with some gusts, and he estimated the wind to be 20 to 25 knots. He said the gyroplane never left the ground prior to impact. The witness called 911 and emergency crews were dispatched. The pilot was air evacuated to a local hospital with serious injuries. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and rudder.

According to a statement by the certified mechanic who worked on the gyrocopter earlier that day, there were no known mechanical issues and a condition inspection was completed on the Rotax 914 UL engine, propeller assembly, rotor system, and airframe earlier that day. The pilot was planning on flying his gyroplane back home after the inspection.

The wreckage was recovered and secured for future examination.

The closest official weather observation station is Witham Field Airport (SUA,) about 15 nm northeast of the accident location. At 1447 a METAR was reporting, in part, wind, 050° at 14 knots with gusts of 25 knots. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: FOXFLY INC
Registration: N412MF
Model/Series: FOXDOMINATOR NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Gyroplane
Amateur Built: Yes
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSUA, 18 ft msl
Observation Time: 1947 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 15 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C / 14°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 14 knots/ 25 knots, 50°
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 2500 ft agl
Visibility:  7 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.3 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Indiantown, FL (X58)
Destination: JUPITER, FL (FD15) 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious

Latitude, Longitude:  27.031111, -80.433333 (est)










MAN INJURED IN GYROCOPTER CRASH

One person has been airlifted to a local hospital after the gyrocopter he was piloting crashed near the end of the runway at the Indiantown Airport. It happened around 2:47pm. Investigators are still on the scene. The pilot’s name has not been released.

Martin County Sheriff's Office

MARTIN COUNTY — A man was flown to a trauma center after crashing a gyrocopter near the Indiantown Airport, according to Sheriff's Office and Fire Rescue officials. 

The man, who has not been identified, was the only person aboard the small aircraft when it crashed off Southwest Citrus Boulevard, Martin County Fire Rescue Bureau Chief Chris Stabile said.

The small helicopter-like vehicle crashed about 2:50 p.m. near the runway of the airport, according to a Sheriff's Office Facebook post. 

Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Christine Christophek said it appeared that the man tried to take off, only made it a few feet off the ground, and crashed on the embankment.

About 15 minutes later, the pilot was flown to a local trauma center, Stabile said. He was unconscious but breathing, and suffered many cuts and abrasions, Christophek said. 

Christophek added that it appeared that the man's injuries were not life-threatening.

The Sheriff's Office will hand over the investigation to the Federal Aviation Administration on Friday, Christophek said.

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