Moore B-8MJ accident near Pauls Valley, OK
On June 15, 1998, a Moore B-8MJ (gyroplane) was involved in an accident near Pauls Valley, OK. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 15, 1998
- Place
- Pauls Valley, OK
- Aircraft
- Moore B-8MJ · Gyroplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 34.720°N, 97.220°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X10309
NTSB summary
On June 14, 1998, at 2006 central daylight time, a Moore B-8MJ gyroplane, N4874X, registered to and operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged when it collided with a hangar at the Pauls Valley Municipal Airport, Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. The non-certificated pilot, sole occupant, was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 local test flight. According to the prospective buyer of the gyroplane, the pilot was performing a test flight, which was part of a purchasing agreement. Witnesses reported that they observed the pilot flying the aircraft around the airport at a "low altitude" for about 30-35 minutes, and then land. The pilot made adjustments to the rotor head trim and then took off again. The witnesses further reported that the pilot "did a lot of very low flying between hangars, [and] never got over 15-20 feet high." During this second flight, the airport manager informed the witnesses (one witness was the prospective buyer) that the pilot must "comply with FAA regulations and fly the traffic pattern." The witnesses agreed to talk to the pilot when he landed. A witness reported that the pilot "made another low pass over Paul and I, which was close to the north end of a hangar." The pilot "then flew down the NW runway and to the west, [and] we could not see him at this time." The witnesses reported that when the aircraft came back from the west, it was about 10 to 12 feet agl. As the aircraft came around the hangar, a rotor blade struck the hangar doo
Probable cause
The non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the hangar. A factor was the pilot's maneuvering at a low altitude.
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Browse: Oklahoma
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
