Kaminski RAF 2000 N73GK

Summary

On 3 August 2002 at about 02:30 local time, a Kaminski RAF 2000 registered N73GK was involved in an accident near Newberg, Oregon, 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.

Date

3 August 2002 at 02:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Newberg, Oregon, United States

Nearest airport

Chehalem Airpark (17S)

Coordinates

45.3236, -123.0539

Aircraft

Kaminski RAF 2000

Registration

N73GK

Category

Gyrocraft

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Newberg → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA02LA142

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's inadequate compensation (excessive altitude) for crosswind conditions resulting in the gyroplane's rotors contacting the ground. Contributing factors were the gusty crosswind conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the RAF 2000 gyroplane was executing a landing to runway 25 at a small airport with strong gusty winds out of the north. As the gyroplane was slowing, and about six feet above ground, a gust of wind rapidly rolled the aircraft left about its longitudinal axis and the rotor disk struck the runway surface. The aircraft then impacted terrain and came to rest damaging the rotor assembly and pylon. The pilot reported that he should have been lower (4 feet above ground vice 6 feet) and should have given himself a longer final in order to have more time to set up for the crosswind conditions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.