Rotordyne 200 N85Z
31 August 1999 · Kent, Washington, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 31 August 1999 at about 02:02 local time, a Rotordyne 200 registered N85Z, operated by Mellema, Roger, D., was involved in an accident near Kent, Washington, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 02:02
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Kent, Washington, United States
- Nearest airport
- Crest Airpark (S36)
- Coordinates
- 47.3609, -122.0996
- Aircraft
- Rotordyne 200
- Registration
- N85Z
- Category
- Gyrocraft
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Mellema, Roger, D.
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- SEA99LA151
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The owner/builder's failure to properly torque the rotor blade retaining bolts.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The co-owner/builder had been engaged in resetting the angle of attack (pitch angle) of the main rotor blades previous to the accident. Witnesses reported observing the gyrocopter depart to the south, proceed west, and then execute several oscillatory, rocking or pitching like maneuvers after which the aircraft entered a steep descent to the ground. Post-crash examination revealed that all eight of the main rotor blade pitch adjustment bolts were loose. Examination of the upper outboard shim plate of each blade attach bar revealed markings which clearly established a pitch bolt torque of 190 inch-pounds. Release of the main rotor blade pitch adjustment bolts would allow a rotor blade pitch change and subsequent loss of control.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Jan 1999 | Cessna 175 | Moses Lake, Washington, United States | John H. Bross | Serious injuries | - |
| 4 Dec 1999 | Cessna 140 | Port Townsend, Washington, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 14 Jul 1999 | Cessna 185 | Renton, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 10 Sep 1999 | Cessna 170B | Auburn, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 26 Mar 1999 | Cessna T210L | Port Angeles, Washington, United States | Wings Aloft | Minor injuries | - |
| 11 Sep 1999 | Stinson V77 | Tacoma, Washington, United States | Kimble, Wallis, R. | No injuries | - |