Snobird CHARGER UNREG
11 April 2008 · Toledo, Washington, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 11 April 2008 at about 19:00 local time, a Snobird CHARGER registered UNREG, operated by David Hill, was involved in an accident near Toledo, Washington, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. 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 19:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Toledo, Washington, United States
- Nearest airport
- Ed Carlson Memorial Field (KTDO)
- Coordinates
- 46.4772, -122.8061
- Aircraft
- Snobird CHARGER
- Registration
- UNREG
- Category
- Gyrocraft
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- David Hill
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Toledo → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX08CA110
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The pilot's improper use of the flight controls during takeoff.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
Immediately after takeoff the single seat gyroplane tilted forward and impacted the runway. The pilot reported to a National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he did not recall the accident. His only memory was taxiing the gyroplane in preparation for departure. A witness, who was about 1/2 mile away, observed the gyroplane through binoculars. He watched the gyroplane taxi down the runway and observed the main rotor come up to speed. The pilot performed what he thought was a normal takeoff roll, but then the gyroplane popped up into the air quicker than normal. In reaction, the pilot appeared to overcorrect, overrotating the gyroplane forward, and impacting the runway. An FAA inspector examined the gyroplane after the accident and did not find any evidence of preimpact mechanical anomalies or failures.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Jun 2008 | Cessna T182T | Point Roberts, Washington, United States | David A. Smith | No injuries | - |
| 9 May 2008 | Thorp T-18 | Kent, Washington, United States | Roger Thompson | Fatal | 1 |
| 8 Jul 2008 | Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR | Arlington, Washington, United States | Northwest Aviation Center | No injuries | - |
| 10 Oct 2008 | Bell 206B | Cougar, Washington, United States | Northwest Helicopters | Serious injuries | - |
| 27 Jul 2008 | Cessna 172N | McMurray, Washington, United States | Brenda Lee Houston | Fatal | 3 |
| 13 Jan 2008 | Piper PA-12 | Centerville, Washington, United States | Dwayne A. Hansen | Minor injuries | - |