Wilhelm CALIDUS N455BW

Summary

On 7 October 2011 at about 17:20 local time, a Wilhelm CALIDUS registered N455BW was involved in an accident near Thompsonville, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 October 2011 at 17:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Thompsonville, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Thompsonville (7Y2)

Coordinates

44.5167, -85.9753

Aircraft

Wilhelm CALIDUS

Registration

N455BW

Category

Gyrocraft

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Flight Test

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Thompsonville → Thompsonville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12LA013

Nobody was injured.

The pilot 's inability to maintain control of the gyrocraft during the landing roll for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that the takeoff seemed normal but that on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern the gyrocraft tended to roll to the right and he had difficulty keeping it level. He completed the traffic pattern and successfully touched down on the runway. However, after landing, he was unable to maintain control. The gyrocraft departed the runway pavement and rolled onto its right side. A postaccident examination confirmed flight control continuity throughout the system. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation. Documentation indicated that the gyrocraft was loaded within approved weight and balance limitations at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that this was his first flight in the gyrocraft and it was intended to be the first full flight of the required flight test operations phase. He noted that a mechanic had conducted 3 momentary flights over the runway after the gyrocraft had been completed.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.