Hunthrop AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT N589DH
20 October 2012 · Bourland, Texas, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 20 October 2012 at about 16:45 local time, a Hunthrop AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT registered N589DH, operated by Hunthrop William D, was involved in an accident near Bourland, Texas, 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.
The record
- Date
- at 16:45
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Bourland, Texas, United States
- Nearest airport
- Bourland Field (K50F)
- Coordinates
- 32.5819, -97.5908
- Aircraft
- Hunthrop AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT
- Registration
- N589DH
- Category
- Gyrocraft
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Hunthrop William D
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Bourland → Bourland
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CEN13CA017
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to fly the gyroplane in gusty wind conditions that exceeded his limitations and his resultant loss of control during takeoff.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The private pilot, who had 10 hours of dual instruction and 1.5 hours of solo flight in the gyroplane make and model, was performing touch-and-go landings in the gyroplane in pursuit of a gyroplane endorsement when the gyroplane impacted terrain during a takeoff, and the fuselage was substantially damaged. The pilot could not recall the accident sequence. The wind at the time of the accident was from 190 degrees at 19 knots gusting to 27 knots. Documentation showed that the pilot had been signed off by his flight instructor to operate the gyroplane solo in wind up to 9 knots. A visual examination of the gyroplane did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the information available, it is likely the pilot did not maintain directional control while taking off in the gyroplane in strong, gusty wind conditions.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Sep 2012 | Hiller UH-12B | Rio Vista, Texas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 17 May 2012 | Short Bros SHORTS SD3-60 | Houston, Texas, United States | ACC Integrated Services Inc | No injuries | - |
| 17 Aug 2012 | Schleicher ASG29-15M | Uvalde, Texas, United States | Louis Bouderlique | Minor injuries | - |
| 21 Feb 2012 | Cessna 180H | Conroe, Texas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 24 Feb 2012 | Beechcraft 58 | Cypress, Texas, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 22 Sep 2012 | Piper PA-28R-180 | Roanoke, Texas, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |