Air & Space 18A N6121S

Summary

On 31 July 2001 at about 15:46 local time, a Air & Space 18A registered N6121S was involved in an accident near Blairstown, New Jersey, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 July 2001 at 15:46

Classification

Accident

Location

Blairstown, New Jersey, United States

Nearest airport

Blairstown Airport (1N7)

Coordinates

40.9692, -75.0025

Aircraft

Air & Space 18A

Registration

N6121S

Category

Gyrocraft

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Blairstown → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC01LA196

2 people had minor injuries.

An encounter with ground resonance for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the gyroplane taxied into position, and held on the end of the runway. She then engaged the main rotor system and advanced the throttle. She brought the main rotor up to 120 rpm in flat pitch, and then advanced the throttle and changed the pitch on the main rotor blades from ground to flight, after which, the gyroplane entered ground resonance. The pilot reported that she changed the pitch of the main rotor system from flight, back to ground and closed the throttle. Witnesses reported the gyroplane bounced and rocked from side to side, and came to rest on its side. The main rotor system separated from the rotor mast. A two piece friction fit sleeve for main rotor pitch control had separated. There was no evidence of recent wear on the threads in front of the nuts that held the sleeve together. The hydraulic blade dampers had separated from the main rotor blades and were not recovered. The gyroplane had been operated 0.7 hours since the last annual inspection, which had been conducted by the pilot. In addition, she declined to be interviewed by the Safety Board about the accident, and did not report any flight experience in make and model. However she was rated in both airplanes and rotorcraft, and also held flight instructor ratings in those models.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.