Saturday, May 12, 2018

Apollo Gyro AG1, N15LU: Accident occurred December 17, 2017 at North Las Vegas Airport (KVGT), Clark County, Nevada

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Las Vegas, Nevada

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

http://registry.faa.gov/N15LU

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Location: North Las Vegas, NV
Accident Number: GAA18CA086
Date & Time: 12/17/2017, 1540 PST
Registration: N15LU
Aircraft: HALLEY KFT APOLLO
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Ground collision
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

According to the pilot in the experimental amateur-built gyroplane, he landed on a taxiway and taxied to the runway intersection. The intersection was on the right side of runway 30R. The ramp where the pilot wanted to park, was across both runways, on the left side of runway 30L.

Unfamiliar with the capabilities of the gyroplane, the tower asked the pilot to air taxi to the ramp. The pilot informed the tower that he could either ground taxi, or takeoff and land on runway 30L, then taxi to the ramp. Tower and the pilot agreed to the latter.

He further reported that in anticipation of taxiing to parking, he had allowed the Gyroplane's rotor speed to decrease, and when he turned the gyroplane back onto the taxiway in the gusting wind, the main rotor struck the empennage and the pusher-propeller.

The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage and rotor system.

The METAR at the accident airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 330° at 14kts and gusting to 19kts.

Per the National Transportation Safety Board's Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot identified in the Owner Safety Recommendation section, that this accident could have been prevented if he had waited for the rotor blades to stop completely before repositioning the gyroplane for taxi.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Foreign; Private
Age: 56, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 02/08/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 10151 hours (Total, all aircraft), 938 hours (Total, this make and model), 9901 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 31 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 13 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0.14 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Pilot-Rated Passenger Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 48, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Rear
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Helicopter
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/20/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 01/17/2018
Flight Time:

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: HALLEY KFT
Registration: N15LU
Model/Series: APOLLO AG-01
Aircraft Category: Gyroplane
Year of Manufacture: 2016
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 010416
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 12/01/2017, Unknown
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1232 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 13.4 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: 912ULS
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 100 hp
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: KVGT, 2203 ft msl
Observation Time: 2353 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 319°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 13°C / -9°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 14 knots/ 19 knots, 330°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.05 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: North Las Vegas, NV (VGT)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: North Las Vegas, NV (VGT)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:  PST
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: NORTH LAS VEGAS (VGT)
Runway Surface Type: N/A
Airport Elevation: 2205 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: None 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  36.210556, -115.194444 (est)

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