Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's excessive taxiing speed and failure to maintain adequate clearance from objects, resulting in the gyroplane's main rotor colliding with a fence and subsequent damage to the aircraft.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that after completing the first flight in his recently constructed gyroplane that he was taxiing expeditiously back to the hangar and did not take into account the wet taxiway, or the tail wind. The pilot said that while taxiing the gyroplane the nose wheel did not turn as he would have liked, and the aircraft drifted close to a fence and the rotor made contact with the fence, destroying the aircraft. The FAA inspector who conducted a postcrash examination of the gyroplane, confirmed that the aircraft was destroyed as a result of the accident.
Source record
Factual narrative
On January 16, 2000, about 1300 central standard time, a Dana A. Moore Danamite, N6407C, registered to a private owner, and operated as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, hit a fence during taxiing operations at Smyrna, Tennessee. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed in the area, and no flight plan was filed. The gyroplane was destroyed, and the private-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated the same day, about 1245. The pilot stated that after completing the first flight in his recently constructed gyroplane that he was taxiing expeditiously back to the hangar and did not take into account the wet taxiway, or the tail wind. The pilot said that while taxiing the gyroplane, the nosewheel did not turn as he would have liked, and the aircraft drifted close to a fence and the rotor made contact with the fence, destroying the aircraft. The FAA inspector who conducted a postcrash examination of the gyroplane, confirmed that the aircraft was destroyed as a result of the accident.