Healy RAF 2000 N397MK

Summary

On 17 May 2010 at about 22:00 local time, a Healy RAF 2000 registered N397MK, operated by Matthew J Healy, was involved in an accident near Hopkinsville, Kentucky, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 May 2010 at 22:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Hopkinsville, Kentucky, United States

Nearest airport

Hopkinsville-Christian County (HVC)

Coordinates

36.8542, -87.4531

Aircraft

Healy RAF 2000

Registration

N397MK

Category

Gyrocraft

Engines

1

Operator

Matthew J Healy

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hopkinsville → Hopkinsville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA10CA270

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s overcompensation for gusting wind conditions during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a loss of control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he was taking off from runway 26 on the second of two gyroplane test flights following tracking adjustments to the main rotor blades. The first test flight was uneventful. During the takeoff roll on the second test flight, a gust of wind raised the gyroplane’s left wheel off the ground. With the rotors not yet up to speed, the pilot corrected with right cyclic to “force the wheel down,” and left pedal to “maintain straight ground track.” However, he “added too much pedal and [the gyroplane began] to swerve erratically on the runway.” The pilot cut engine power, but then the gyroplane encountered a second gust of wind, which resulted in another roll. The advancing main rotor blade struck the ground, “catapulting” the gyroplane off the runway. The gyroplane came to rest on its left side facing opposite the direction of travel, and the pilot sustained serious injuries. The gyroplane’s main rotor blades and empennage were substantially damaged. No mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported by the pilot. The pilot reported winds from 290 degrees true at 7 knots, gusting to 14 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.