Dennis Smith ECLIPSE 10 N70WP

Summary

On 17 January 2024 at about 20:38 local time, a Dennis Smith ECLIPSE 10 registered N70WP was involved in an accident near Yuma, Arizona, 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

17 January 2024 at 20:38

Classification

Accident

Location

Yuma, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Yuma International Airport (NYL)

Coordinates

32.6526, -114.6105

Aircraft

Dennis Smith ECLIPSE 10

Registration

N70WP

Category

Gyrocraft

Year built

2018

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

WPR24LA077

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s decision to takeoff with low rotor RPM and his subsequent loss of control.

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 preparing for takeoff, but he noticed that the brakes felt mushy and were not properly holding as he increased engine power. Consequently, when the main rotor RPM reached 150 RPM, he released the brakes and increased power. The gyroplane then rolled over onto its side. According to the Pilot’s Operating Handbook, takeoff with 150-200 main rotor RPM “requires a high skill,” and normal takeoffs are initiated when 220 main rotor RPM is attained. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation and acknowledged that he should have aborted the takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.