Stuart RAF 2000 GTX SE accident near Overton, NV
On March 27, 2000, a Stuart RAF 2000 GTX SE (gyroplane) was involved in an accident near Overton, NV. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- March 27, 2000
- Place
- Overton, NV
- Aircraft
- Stuart RAF 2000 GTX SE · Gyroplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 36.389°N, 114.369°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X20680
NTSB summary
On March 27, 2000, at 1124 hours Pacific standard time, a Stuart RAF 2000 GTX SE, N60739, became inverted and impacted the runway at Perkins Field Airport, Overton, Nevada. The experimental gyrocopter, operated under 14 CFR Part 91, was destroyed in a post-impact fire. The private pilot/owner was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the local area personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed the airport a few minutes prior to the accident and was scheduled to terminate there. One witness had talked to the pilot prior to takeoff. He stated that the pilot had told him this was his maiden flight. The witness watched him take off and immediately saw the gyrocopter porpoising in the air. He watched him leave the airport environment and then make a turn back towards the runway. The porpoising stopped; then it started again. As the gyrocopter flew over the runway the porpoising increased in severity. The witness stated that the pilot reduced power during this portion of the flight. The final porpoise that he saw placed the gyrocopter in an inverted position. The witness then saw the gyrocopter fall inverted to the ground from about 100 feet agl. Another witness saw the gyrocopter takeoff and noted that the main rotor blades were turning slowly. He didn't think anything of it and continued on with his next stop. As he was departing from his delivery he noted that the gyrocopter was over the airport and then saw it crash. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot's logbook was not available for review by the Safety Board. A review of the Federal A
Probable cause
Failure of the pilot to obtain/maintain aircraft control. A factor in the accident was the pilot's inexperience in rotorcraft.
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Browse: Nevada
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
