Celier XENON R N719MB

Summary

On 5 October 2014 at about 00:17 local time, a Celier XENON R registered N719MB was involved in an accident near Loma, Colorado, 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

5 October 2014 at 00:17

Classification

Accident

Location

Loma, Colorado, United States

Coordinates

39.1958, -108.8131

Aircraft

Celier XENON R

Registration

N719MB

Category

Gyrocraft

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Grand Junction → Grand Junction

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN15LA004

2 people died.

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a static wire and his decision to maneuver the gyroplane at low altitude.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was conducting a personal flight in the gyroplane with one passenger on board. The gyroplane impacted a static wire that was strung between two poles on opposite sides of a river and was estimated to be about 50 ft above the water's surface. Damage to the gyroplane, including the separation of the main rotor assembly and impact signatures on the mast mount, was consistent with a wire strike. Postaccident examination did not reveal any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions. Based on the available information, it is likely that the pilot chose to make a low-altitude flight along the river and failed to see and avoid the static wire.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.