Becker RAF 2000 accident near Gladwin, MI
On July 4, 2005, a Becker RAF 2000 (gyroplane) was involved in an accident near Gladwin, MI. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- July 4, 2005
- Place
- Gladwin, MI
- Aircraft
- Becker RAF 2000 · Gyroplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 43.971°N, 84.475°W
- NTSB ID
- 20050708X00957
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 4, 2005, at 1850 eastern daylight time, a Becker RAF 2000 amateur built gyrocopter, N481KB, collided with the terrain following a loss of control while in the traffic pattern at the Gladwin Airport (GDW), Gladwin, Michigan. The commercial rated pilot was fatally injured. The gyrocopter was substantially damaged. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 solo instructional flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The local flight originated from GDW shortly before the accident. A witness to the accident reported the pilot had made three takeoffs and landings prior to the accident. Following the third landing, the pilot had a radio conversation with his instructor during which the instructor asked the pilot if the gyrocopter was out of trim. The pilot stated that it was trimmed. According to the witness, the pilot took off again and was making the turn from crosswind to downwind when the accident occurred. He stated when he looked at the gyrocopter it was in a turn and when it looked back it was descending. The witness stated he did not notice any change in the sound of the gyrocopter prior to the accident. Another witness reported that he was on the south side of the airport when the accident occurred. The witness stated he first saw the gyrocopter taxiing east on the runway at a high speed. He stated that a few minutes later, he saw the gyrocopter taking off to the west. He stated the gyrocopter became airborne and stayed over the runway at an altitude of approximately 10 feet for a while prior to climbing ou
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the gyrocopter while in the traffic pattern. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's lack of gyrocopter experience.
More accidents in MI
- Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82, Aug 17, 1987
- Embraer EMB-120RT, Jan 9, 1997
- Beech 65-A90, Jul 31, 1999
- Casa C-212-CC, Mar 4, 1987
- Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-14, Dec 3, 1990
Browse: Michigan
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
