Quitzau, Carl Vortex accident near Immokalee, FL
On January 26, 2002, a Quitzau, Carl Vortex (gyroplane) was involved in an accident near Immokalee, FL. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- January 26, 2002
- Place
- Immokalee, FL
- Aircraft
- Quitzau, Carl Vortex · Gyroplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 26.433°N, 81.401°W
- NTSB ID
- 20020201X00157
Official records · MIA02LA054
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On January 26, 2002, about 1242 eastern standard time, an unregistered Vortex gyroplane, owned by the accident pilot, crashed on the Immokalee Airport, Immokalee, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The gyroplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, was fatally injured. The flight originated about 5 minutes earlier from the Immokalee Airport. The accident occurred during the third flight of the day, and according to a witness, before beginning the first flight of the day, the accident pilot installed the main rotor blades. The first flight lasted approximately 10 minutes. After landing, the accident pilot reported to the witness that he encountered, "stick shake" during the flight. The accident pilot adjusted the main rotor blades then departed on the second flight which lasted approximately 20 minutes. The witness reported that the accident pilot advised with words to the effect that during the second flight, the gyroplane was flying a little better. The accident pilot performed a slight adjustment to the main rotor blades and filled the fuel tank to about 3/4 capacity. The flight then departed, and returned flying approximately 50 feet above ground level, at an estimated airspeed of between 55 and 60 mph; the pilot's feet were observed outside the cockpit. When the flight was near the witness' position, the gyroplane began a gradual yaw to the left. The gyroplane then rolled left to an inverted position, pitched nose down, and impacted the g
Probable cause
The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the gyroplane resulting in the in-flight loss of control and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain.
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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
