Monard RAF 2000 GTX N107TM

Summary

On 5 November 2006 at about 16:35 local time, a Monard RAF 2000 GTX registered N107TM was involved in an accident near Ridgely, Maryland, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 November 2006 at 16:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Ridgely, Maryland, United States

Nearest airport

Ridgely Airpark (RJD)

Coordinates

38.9700, -75.8667

Aircraft

Monard RAF 2000 GTX

Registration

N107TM

Category

Gyrocraft

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ridgely → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC07LA022

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm while maneuvering, which resulted in a loss of rotor blade rigidity.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was practicing an air show routine. After making a number of low passes, then landing, he took off again. The gyroplane then made another approach, paralleled the runway, and made a shallow descent to about 60 to 75 feet. The pilot maintained that altitude and heading for a few seconds, then initiated a 45-degree climb followed by an "immediate" right turn. During the turn, the rotor blade sound changed from a high pitch, to a "Bell Huey" sound. The gyroplane then made a "pronounced roll" to the right and descended to the ground. Postaccident examination of the gyroplane revealed no evidence of any preimpact failure, and there was no evidence of the rotor blades having struck the rudder, horizontal stabilizer or winglets. The rotor hub and rotor blades exhibited evidence of upward coning, consistent with the rotor blades having lost rigidity due to low rpm.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.