Denzer RAF 2000 accident near Palmer, AK
On June 29, 2002, a Denzer RAF 2000 (gyroplane) was involved in an accident near Palmer, AK. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 29, 2002
- Place
- Palmer, AK
- Aircraft
- Denzer RAF 2000 · Gyroplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 61.595°N, 149.089°W
- NTSB ID
- 20020712X01113
Official records · ANC02FA064
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- Transcript of Radio Communications: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 29, 2002, about 0948 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped experimental/homebuilt Denzer RAF 2000 gyroplane, N435PR, sustained substantial damage when it collided with the paved runway surface following a loss of control during initial takeoff climb at the Palmer Municipal Airport, Palmer, Alaska. The gyroplane was being operated as a Title 14 CFR, Part 91 visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The gyroplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated airplane pilot, the sole occupant, received fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Palmer Airport about 0930. At 0924, the pilot contacted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight service station specialist at the Palmer Airport via radio. The pilot reported he was at the transient apron, and requested traffic advisories. The flight service specialist indicated the winds were light and variable, southeasterly, 130 degrees at 6 knots. About 0930, the pilot radioed that he was ready to depart runway 16. The gyroplane was observed by the flight service station specialist, and several witnesses around the airport, to conduct two touch and go landings on runway 16. About 0941, the pilot radioed that he was extending his downwind pattern, and was number two behind landing traffic. At 0942, the pilot reported he was on final approach for landing on runway 16. Following the third landing, ground witnesses observed the gyroplane lift off abruptly, climb steeply to an alti
Probable cause
The pilot's abrupt liftoff during takeoff, and his failure to correct a pilot-induced-oscillation during takeoff initial climb which resulted in the main rotor blades striking the tail mounted rudder, and an in-flight loss of control. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of recent experience in a gyroplane.
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Browse: Alaska
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
