McNear EXPLORER COUPE N5098L

Summary

On 14 March 2009 at about 14:02 local time, a McNear EXPLORER COUPE registered N5098L was involved in an accident near Okeechobee, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 March 2009 at 14:02

Classification

Accident

Location

Okeechobee, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Okeechobee County Airport (OBE)

Coordinates

27.2664, -80.8503

Aircraft

McNear EXPLORER COUPE

Registration

N5098L

Category

Gyrocraft

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Okeechobee → Okeechobee

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA09LA198

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the gyrocopter while taxiing for takeoff.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot informed his friends that he was having problems with the pre-rotator not getting over 60 rpm. He stated that he might reengage the pre-rotator after he started his takeoff roll. Although there were no witnesses to the accident, a departing pilot observed the wreckage on the side of the runway. Examination of the accident site revealed evidence on the taxiway of the aircraft swerving to the right, continuing forward 106 feet before it started to roll to the left. The crash debris line was 230 feet long. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly and accessories revealed no anomalies. The NTSB was informed that if the pre-rotator was reengaged while the engine was at a power setting higher than idle, the resulting torque forces could cause the aircraft to lurch to the right, thus causing a roll to the left. Additionally, the pilot had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery approximately 2 ½ years prior to the accident. On autopsy, the pilot’s heart was noted to be markedly enlarged, but all bypass grafts remained open. It could not be determined whether the pilot may have had an incapacitating event that precipitated the accident. The pilot did not hold a current medical certificate.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.