Smuz RAF 2000 GTX SE N26AV

Summary

On 3 February 2005 at about 18:00 local time, a Smuz RAF 2000 GTX SE registered N26AV was involved in an accident near Puyallup, Washington, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 February 2005 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Puyallup, Washington, United States

Nearest airport

Pierce Co./Thun Field (1S0)

Coordinates

47.1042, -122.2872

Aircraft

Smuz RAF 2000 GTX SE

Registration

N26AV

Category

Gyrocraft

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Auburn → Puyallup

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA05LA044

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's misjudged flare followed by an oscillation which damaged the aircraft.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot said that he had approximately 1,800 hours of flight experience in helicopters, and was a flight instructor for the army. He was adding the gyroplane rating. He had 13 hours of training, and this was his first solo flight. He said that on his third landing, he was performing a power off 180 degree landing. He said that he flared one to two feet higher than planned, and he added a little power to "smooth out" the touchdown. When the power came in, the engine torque rotated the nose of the gyroplane to the right. The right main gear hit the ground, and the aircraft bounced back and fourth on its main landing gear. Subsequently, the gyroplane rolled onto its right side bending its blades, mast, and horizontal and vertical stabilizer.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.