Autogyro CAVALON N477AG

Summary

On 15 August 2019 at about 01:00 local time, a Autogyro CAVALON registered N477AG was involved in an accident near Shelton, Washington, 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

15 August 2019 at 01:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Shelton, Washington, United States

Nearest airport

Sanderson Field (SHN)

Coordinates

47.2328, -123.1508

Aircraft

Autogyro CAVALON

Registration

N477AG

Category

Gyrocraft

Year built

2015

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR19LA221

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s failure to initiate the takeoff roll with inadequate rotor speed, and his failure to follow the published takeoff procedures, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with the ground.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the gyroplane was practicing takeoffs and landings. On the accident takeoff attempt, the pilot initiated the takeoff roll with a rotor rpm less than that recommended by the manufacturer. When he saw that the speed of the gyroplane was higher than normal and the gyroplane still had not lifted off the runway, he applied aft control stick to initiate the takeoff, contrary to the published takeoff procedures in the owner’s manual. The gyroplane then immediately lifted off the runway and rolled to the left. The rotor contacted the left vertical stabilizer and the runway. An examination of the wreckage revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the pilot’s decision to initiate the takeoff with low rotor rpm and his failure to follow the published takeoff procedure resulted in a loss of control.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.