PITCAIRN PA 18
Philadelphia, PA — November 18, 2016
Event Information
| Date | November 18, 2016 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA17CA092 |
| Event ID | 20161212X52458 |
| Location | Philadelphia, PA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 40.08194, -75.01056 |
| Airport | NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | PITCAIRN |
| Model | PA 18 |
| Category | GYRO |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot’s failure to correct the gyroplane’s right roll during the landing, which resulted in the exceedance of its critical angle and a subsequent roll-over. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s focus on preventing a potential ground loop instead of a roll-over and his lack of experience in the gyroplane model.
Full Narrative
According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped gyroplane, he landed on the right main landing gear. The gyroplane begin rolling to the right, but the gyroplane's heading was aligned to the left of the runway heading and continued in a left direction of travel. He attempted to correct the gyroplane's right roll by moving the control stick to the left, however, the aileron movement did not subside the roll. He reported that in hindsight, opening the throttle and right rudder application may have subsided the roll, "but my mental preparedness was biased to preventing a ground loop, not a dynamic rollover". However, the gyroplane continued to roll right and impacted the ground. The gyroplane came to rest on the runway and sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, right wing, and the empennage.
The pilot reported that his lack of experience in the gyroplane model contributed to the accident, because the critical angle was exceeded in this gyroplane more quickly than other gyroplanes that he was accustomed to flying.
The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.