Snobird 532 accident near Early, TX
On April 24, 1993, a Snobird 532 (gyroplane) was involved in an accident near Early, TX. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- April 24, 1993
- Place
- Early, TX
- Aircraft
- Snobird 532 · Gyroplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 31.740°N, 98.940°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X12130
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 24, 1993, at approximately 0812 central daylight time, a Snobird 532, N6147N, was destroyed upon impact with terrain following a loss of control while in the traffic pattern near Early, Texas. The student pilot, also the owner, was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the solo training flight. According to witnesses at the airport, the student pilot, also the builder of the gyroplane, transported the aircraft to the Ground Loop Airport, a privately owned airstrip near Early, Texas, for its maiden flight. Due to the low ceilings and high winds the morning of the accident, the pilot elected to restrict his maiden flight to ground runs and several short hops over the runway. The pilot was observed making four normal takeoffs and fly five to ten feet above the runway and terminating with a landing at the departure end of the strip. On the fifth takeoff, the pilot was observed higher over the ground than on his previous runs, and as the gyroplane approached the end of the runway, full power was heard being added and a steep climb established, climbing to 300 feet AGL as he continued on the runway heading for approximately three quarters of a mile when he encountered strong winds and turbulence. Witnesses further reported that after the gyroplane turned downwind, a progressive porpoising like oscillation developed and after three complete oscillations, a cracking sound was heard. The gyroplane was observed descending rapidly tumbling end over end until it disappeared behind a tree line. The engine was reported to have remained
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT PORPOISE. A FACTOR WAS THE IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED TRIM SPRING
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Browse: Texas
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
