Erickson Larry D RAF 2000 GT accident near Humboldt, IA
On August 9, 2015, an Erickson Larry D RAF 2000 GT (gyroplane) was involved in an accident near Humboldt, IA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- August 9, 2015
- Place
- Humboldt, IA
- Aircraft
- Erickson Larry D RAF 2000 GT · Gyroplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 42.755°N, 94.199°W
- NTSB ID
- 20150810X41844
Official records · CEN15LA344
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On August 9, 2015, about 1855 central daylight time, an amateur-built RAF 2000 GT rotorcraft gyroplane, N315LK, was substantially damaged after impacting a tree near Humboldt, Iowa. The pilot was fatally injured and the passenger was seriously injured. The gyroplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, with no flight plan filed. The local flight departed from Humboldt Municipal Airport (0K7), Humboldt, Iowa about 1825. The passenger, who had flown with the pilot several times, stated the purpose of the flight was to take some pictures of his house and to "just fly around". After flying for about 30 minutes, the pilot made a low pass over the passenger's house on a southwesterly heading. The passenger heard the pilot state an exclamation, followed by a descent of the gyroplane. The passenger said the pilot "struggled" with the controls as the gyroplane descended below the tallest trees on his property. As the gyroplane approached the ground, the pilot increased engine power. The gyroplane made a right turn and impacted a lone pine tree which they had just flown by. The passenger's neighbor observed the gyroplane as it approached the accident site on a southwesterly heading. He heard a reduction in engine noise, followed by the gyroplane's descent below the taller trees on the passenger's property. He subsequently heard a rapid increase in engine noise, followed by a loud impact noise. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The p
Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of gyroplane control while maneuvering at low altitude.
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Browse: Iowa
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
