Monard RAF 2000 GTX accident near Ridgely, MD
On November 5, 2006, a Monard RAF 2000 GTX (gyroplane) was involved in an accident near Ridgely, MD. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- November 5, 2006
- Place
- Ridgely, MD
- Aircraft
- Monard RAF 2000 GTX · Gyroplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 38.970°N, 75.867°W
- NTSB ID
- 20061213X01783
NTSB summary
On November 5, 2006, about 1135 eastern standard time, an amateur-built RAF 2000 GTX, N107TM, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain at Ridgely Airpark (RJD), Ridgely, Maryland. The certificated private pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed for the local personal flight, which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a witness, he saw the gyroplane make "a number" of low approaches to runway 30. On one occasion, the gyroplane landed, then "moments later," took off again. It subsequently climbed to an altitude of approximately 100 feet, and turned right, onto a downwind leg. The pilot "then made a turn around the approach end of runway 30 and began a run which took him over his house, at which time he turned about 20 degrees to the right, toward the runway. He then turned about 20 degrees left to follow the general runway heading (300 degrees), paralleling the runway, and began a shallow dive to an altitude of approximately 60-75 feet." The gyroplane maintained that altitude and heading for "a few seconds," then initiated a "very steep (45-degree) climb with an immediate turn to the right. The blade sound changed from the standard high pitch sound to [one] similar to that of a Bell Huey." The gyroplane "immediately began a pronounced roll to the right, to a semi-inverted position and struck the ground." The witness also noted that after the impact, "a small cloud of vapor appeared and disappeared immediately," and that there was no fire. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspecto
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm while maneuvering, which resulted in a loss of rotor blade rigidity.
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Browse: Maryland
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
