Air Command C-147A N147GY

Summary

On 15 July 1998 at about 12:45 local time, a Air Command C-147A registered N147GY, operated by Harold F. Smith, was involved in an accident near Caddo Mills, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 July 1998 at 12:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Caddo Mills, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Caddo Mills Municipal (7F3)

Coordinates

33.0590, -96.2194

Aircraft

Air Command C-147A

Registration

N147GY

Category

Unknown

Engines

1

Operator

Harold F. Smith

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW98FA310

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm while maneuvering, which resulted in the main rotor blades contacting the tail section of the gyroplane.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While maneuvering during a test flight, the gyroplane impacted terrain following a loss of rotor rpm. Witnesses reported that the gyroplane departed the runway to the south and made a 180 degree turn to a northerly heading. At the mid-point of the runway, the gyroplane entered a left turn. A witness stated that he noted a decay of rotor blade speed and then observed the main rotor blades contact the tail section. A second witness stated that he heard 'rotor blades slowing down.' The gyroplane impacted terrain in a nose low attitude and was consumed by fire. The airframe and engine were examined, and no anomalies were found that would have prevented operation of the aircraft.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.