Close Air Command accident near Wilmont, OH
On December 3, 2004, a Close Air Command (gyroplane) was involved in an accident near Wilmont, OH. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- December 3, 2004
- Place
- Wilmont, OH
- Aircraft
- Close Air Command · Gyroplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 40.651°N, 81.633°W
- NTSB ID
- 20041220X02008
NTSB summary
On December 3, 2004, about 1530 eastern standard time, an unregistered Air Command amateur built gyrocopter was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground near Wilmont, Ohio, while maneuvering to land in an open field. The non-certificated pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that departed the Beach City Airport (2D7), Beach City, Ohio, destined for an open field across from the pilot's house. No flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a witness, he arrived at the airport and assisted the pilot and passenger with removing the gyrocopter from a hangar. To the witness, everything looked new on the gyrocopter and in good condition. The pilot completed the preflight, did not mention identifying any discrepancies, and then started the engine. He let the engine operate for 10 to 15 minutes, and it "sounded good." The witness then watched the pilot, along with the passenger, board the gyrocopter and taxi to the runway. He did not watch the takeoff because he needed to drive to the planned landing area to help move the gyrocopter from the field to the pilot's garage to be stored for the winter. The witness arrived at the field a couple of minutes prior to hearing the gyrocopter approach. He then saw the pilot and passenger wave as they circled overhead approximately 50 feet agl, and the gyrocopter appeared to be functioning normally. As the gyrocopter started to maneuver to land, the witness saw it pitch up just prior to contacting a wire. The gyrocopter con
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a wire while maneuvering to land in an open field.
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Browse: Ohio
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
