Michael A Howard DOMINATOR N447PM

Summary

On 28 June 2012 at about 17:15 local time, a Michael A Howard DOMINATOR registered N447PM, operated by Howard Michael A, was involved in an accident near Omaha, Nebraska, 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

28 June 2012 at 17:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Omaha, Nebraska, United States

Nearest airport

Millard Airport (KMLE)

Coordinates

41.1958, -96.1122

Aircraft

Michael A Howard DOMINATOR

Registration

N447PM

Category

Gyrocraft

Engines

1

Operator

Howard Michael A

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Flight Test

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Omaha → Omaha

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12CA416

1 person had minor injuries.

A nosewheel shimmy on takeoff, which resulted in the failure of the nosewheel landing gear and a loss of control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot, who was also the builder, was conducting flight testing on the newly built gyrocopter. He reported that he spun the rotor up to about 110 rpm and was attempting to accelerate the rotor to flight rpm by moving down the runway. The pilot added that he was going about 25 mph when the nosewheel hit a bump in the runway and started to shimmy. He immediately reduced the throttle to slow down; however, the nosewheel strut failed, and the gyrocopter turned left, rolled over, and came to rest on its right side. During the rollover, the rotor blades and fuselage sustained substantial damage.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.