Rehler Gyrocopter accident near New Braunfels, TX
On November 11, 2005, a Rehler Gyrocopter (gyroplane) was involved in an accident near New Braunfels, TX. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- November 11, 2005
- Place
- New Braunfels, TX
- Aircraft
- Rehler Gyrocopter · Gyroplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 29.703°N, 98.039°W
- NTSB ID
- 20051116X01845
NTSB summary
On November 11, 2005, about 1705 central standard time, an experimental Rehler gyrocopter, N100KR, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while on approach to Runway 13 at the New Braunfels Municipal Airport, near New Braunfels, Texas. The private pilot/builder/owner, sole occupant of the gyroplane, was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The local flight originated at the New Braunfels Airport at an undetermined time. Several witnesses observed the gyrocopter as it descended and approached the runway. When the gyrocopter was about 30 feet above the ground, a gust of wind turned the aircraft sideways, and the gyrocopter "flipped inverted and impacted the runway on its main rotor system." Some of the witnesses reported hearing the engine make a power change before ground impact. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed an on-scene examination of the wreckage. The inspector established flight and engine control continuity and found fuel in the fuel tank. No mechanical deficiencies or anomalies were noted. The pilot designed and constructed the gyrocopter. According to his website, he described his gyrocopter as a single-place, experimental aircraft powered by a 100 HP, four-cylinder, four- cycle Rotax engine. The gyrocopter featured a 27-foot-diameter main rotor system, with a three-bladed, 68-inch-diameter propeller installed in the pusher configuration. The gyrocopter was reported to be capable to cruise betwe
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control while landing. A contributing factor was the high winds.
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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.
