Aviation Crash Map

Moffitt William A WINDRYDER N532BM

29 September 1990 · Mesquite, Texas, United States · Minor injuries

Summary

On 29 September 1990 at about 19:50 local time, a Moffitt William A WINDRYDER registered N532BM, operated by Moffitt, William A, was involved in an accident near Mesquite, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 19:50
Classification
Accident
Location
Mesquite, Texas, United States
Coordinates
Not recorded
Aircraft
Moffitt William A WINDRYDER
Registration
N532BM
Category
Gyrocraft
Engines
1
Operator
Moffitt, William A
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Personal
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Lancaster → Unknown
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
FTW90DPA09

People

1 person had minor injuries.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
1 0 0 1 0

Probable cause

THE POWER LOSS DUE TO FAILURE OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION BY THE OPERATOR. A FACTOR WAS THE WIRE STRUCK DURING THE EMERENCY DESCENT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

AT ABOUT 1,000 FEET AGL THE GYROPLANE OWNER/BUILDER/PILOT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL POWER LOSS. DURING THE EMERGENCY DESCENT TO THE FORCED LANDING THE AIRCRAFT CLEARED POWER LINES AND VEERED LEFT TO AVOID TREES. THE ROTOR BLADE STRUCK A TELEPHONE CABLE RESULTING IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCEND TO GROUND IMPACT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE SPADE LUG CONNECTED TO THE IGNITION DAMPING BOX DISCONNECTED DUE TO IMPROPER CRIMPING, CAUSING LOSS OF IGNITION.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

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All 170,864 records in United States