Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the takeoff. A factor in this accident were wind gusts.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was departing from runway 5, when he experienced a "strong cross-wind gust," which lifted the gyroplane off the ground, and turned it into the wind. The gyroplane then dropped to the ground, perpendicular to the runway, and flipped over. The pilot reported he experienced no mechanical problems with the gyroplane. Winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident were variable in direction at 6 knots, with 15 knot gusts.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 22, 2001, about 1350 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt RAF 2000 GTX SE Gyroplane, N90407, was substantially damaged during takeoff at the Edward F. Knapp State Airport (MPV), Barre, Vermont. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated he was departing from runway 5, a 4,022 foot-long, 100 foot-wide asphalt runway, with the intention of practicing takeoffs and landings. As the gyroplane was nearing rotation speed, he experienced a "strong cross-wind gust," which lifted the gyroplane off the ground, and turned it into the wind. The gyroplane then dropped to the ground, perpendicular to the runway, and flipped over. The pilot reported 215 hours of total flight experience, which included 38 hours in make and model during the previous 90 days. He also stated he did not experience any mechanical problems with the gyroplane. Winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident were variable in direction at 6 knots, with 15 knot gusts.