Northam RAF 2000 N999GC

Summary

On 16 November 2003 at about 16:19 local time, a Northam RAF 2000 registered N999GC was involved in an accident near Nelsonia, Virginia, 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

16 November 2003 at 16:19

Classification

Accident

Location

Nelsonia, Virginia, United States

Coordinates

37.8217, -75.6103

Aircraft

Northam RAF 2000

Registration

N999GC

Category

Gyrocraft

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Melfa → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC04LA035

1 person died.

A loss of control for undetermined reason(s).

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was observed to initiate a takeoff in his homebuilt gyroplane, and then abort the takeoff. He pulled clear of the runway, and held for about 10 minutes with the engine idling, after which he pulled onto the runway again, and took off. He was next observed about 40 minutes later by a witness who reported that the nose of the gyroplane was oscillating up and down. The oscillations steadied out and the gyroplane disappeared from the view of the witnesses. Additional witnesses saw the gyroplane about 2 miles further long, still flying in the same direction. Three of the witnesses reported the gyroplane was in straight and level fight when it rolled inverted, and descended to the ground. One witness reported the gyroplane made a vertical climb, and reversed course to impact the ground. The main rotor blades exhibited damage consistent with low rotor, and had struck the vertical stabilizer. Marks were also found on the underside of the main rotor blades that were consistent with propeller contact. Flight control continuity was not confirmed due to fire and impact damage. The pilot's total flight experience was in excess of 14,550 hours, which included about 70 hours in make and model.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.