Marvin T Eiland SPARROWHAWK N41964

Summary

On 31 March 2006 at about 14:20 local time, a Marvin T Eiland SPARROWHAWK registered N41964, operated by Marvin T. Eiland, was involved in an accident near Ona, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 March 2006 at 14:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Ona, Florida, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Marvin T Eiland SPARROWHAWK

Registration

N41964

Category

Gyrocraft

Engines

1

Operator

Marvin T. Eiland

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Wauchula → Venice

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA06LA077

2 people died.

The in-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons during a normal descent, resulting in an uncontrolled descent, and in-flight collision with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During a pleasure flight while flying between 1,000 and 1,100 feet MSL a witness reported initially seeing a normal rate of descent. The descent rate became progressively steeper to the point it became "unsafe diving." The witness did not see any smoke trailing the gyrocopter, nor did he see any parts separate from the gyrocopter in-flight. The nose of the gyrocopter then tucked down, and the descent became vertical. The gyrocopter impacted into open terrain, and was destroyed by impact and a post crash fire. Postaccident examination of the flight controls of the gyrocopter revealed the aft pitch stop bolt was extended approximately 1/2 inch greater than the typical installation. The as-found position of the aft pitch stop bolt would result in only approximately 6 degrees positive main rotor tilt, while the correct setting would result in approximately 18 degree positive main rotor tilt. Fire and impact damage destroyed the cabin and primary structure, and also the engine assembly; therefore, no determination could be made as to whether there was any pre-impact failure or malfunction of the engine, engine accessories, or flight controls.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.