CEN14LA371

The noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain control of the gyroplane following a total loss of engine power due to a loose spark plug.

The pilot, who had an expired student pilot certificate, was conducting a personal local area flight in the unregistered amateur-built gyroplane. An acquaintance of the pilot reported that the pilot had arrived at the departure airport with the gyroplane on a trailer; however, the pilot did not mention that he intended to fly that evening. There were no witnesses to the accident flight. The gyroplane wreckage was discovered the following morning in a potato field about 1/4 mile east of the departure airport. A postaccident examination of the gyroplane did not reveal any airframe or flight control anomalies that would have prevented normal operation. One of the main rotor blades had separated from the mast hub assembly; however, the observed damage to the rotor blade was consistent with ground impact. Examination of the two-cylinder, two-stroke, engine revealed that the forward spark plug was loose and could be removed by hand. No additional preimpact anomalies were noted with the engine that would have prevented its normal operation. It is likely that the loose spark plug resulted in a loss of cylinder compression and a total loss of engine power. During the subsequent forced landing, the gyroplane impacted terrain and tumbled about 30 ft. The wreckage debris path was consistent with an uncontrolled collision with terrain. A review of aircraft registry records established that the amateur-built gyroplane did not have an airworthiness certificate or registration number. Further, there was no maintenance documentation for the gyroplane. The pilot did not possess a valid pilot certificate; his student certificate had been expired for more than 9 years. Additionally, a pilot logbook was not located during the investigation, which precluded a review of the pilot's recent flight experience and total time in the accident gyroplane.

The Lada Airport (7MI5) is a privately owned airport located about 2 miles southeast of Petersburg, Michigan. The airport field elevation was 678 feet mean sea level (msl). The airport has two runways: runway 9/27 (2,650 feet by 125 feet, grass/turf); runway 18/36 (2,580 feet by 200 feet, grass/turf). On July 12, 2014, an autopsy was performed on the pilot at the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office located in Detroit, Michigan. The cause of death was attributed to multiple blunt-force injuries that were sustained during the accident. Toxicological testing was completed by NMS Labs located in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. The toxicological test results were negative for ethanol and drugs of abuse. The gyroplane wreckage was located in a potato field about 1/4 mile east of the departure airport. A wreckage debris path originated from the initial point-of-impact on a northerly heading and measured about 30 feet long. All airframe components were located along the wreckage debris path or amongst the main wreckage. Flight control continuity could not be established due to the extent of the damage; however, all observed flight control system discontinuities were consistent with overstress. One of the two main rotor blades had separated from the mast hub assembly; however, the observed damage to the rotor blade was consistent with ground impact. Examination of the engine revealed that the forward spark plug of the two-cylinder, two-stroke, Rotax model 532 engine was loose and could be removed by hand without the aid of any tools. No additional preimpact anomalies were noted with the engine that would have prevented its normal operation. Additionally, the throttle was found in the full-aft position, there was the smell of automobile fuel present at the accident site, and the 3-blade propeller exhibited minor damage. At 1735, the automated surface observing system (ASOS) located at Toledo Suburban Airport (DUH), about 9 miles south of the accident site, reported the following weather conditions: wind from 120 degrees at 5 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear sky, temperature 25 degrees Celsius, dew point 14 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.14 inches of mercury. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records, the pilot did not possess a valid pilot certificate. On October 25, 2002, he was issued a student pilot certificate in conjunction with a third-class medical certificate. When applying for the medical certificate, the pilot reported having 45 hours total flight time, of which 22 hours had been accumulated during the preceding 6 months. The student pilot certificate subsequently expired in October 2004. The pilot's flight logbook was not located during the investigation, which precluded a review of his recent flight experience and total time in the accident gyroplane. A review of FAA aircraft registry records established that the amateur-built gyroplane did not have an airworthiness certificate or registration number. The single-seat gyroplane was powered by a Rotax model 532 engine, serial number 3671761. No maintenance documentation was located during the investigation. On July 10, 2014, about 1730 eastern daylight time, an unregistered amateur-built Air Command model 532 gyroplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near Lada Airport (7MI5), Petersburg, Michigan. The pilot, who had an expired student pilot certificate, was fatally injured. The gyroplane was owned and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that departed 7MI5 at an unknown time. An acquaintance of the pilot reported that the pilot arrived at the departure airport around 1700 with the gyroplane on a trailer; however, the pilot did not mention that he intended to fly that evening. There were no witnesses to the accident flight. On the morning of July 11, 2014, the gyroplane wreckage was discovered in a potato field about 1/4 mile east of the departure airport.