Clifford E Massey AR-1 N923DJ

Summary

On 15 December 2018 at about 17:15 local time, a Clifford E Massey AR-1 registered N923DJ was involved in an accident near Anahuac, Texas, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 December 2018 at 17:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Anahuac, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Chambers County (T00)

Coordinates

29.7706, -94.6631

Aircraft

Clifford E Massey AR-1

Registration

N923DJ

Category

Gyrocraft

Year built

2016

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Anahuac → Anahuac

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA19CA101

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the gyroplane reported that, while practicing simulated engine-out landings, the gyroplane experienced a sudden loss of lift during the flare due to "possible strong wind shear." The gyroplane then descended about 4 ft, and he attempted to recover with full power, but the gyroplane landed hard. Subsequently, the propeller struck the ground, the gyroplane bounced, and the rotor impacted the ground and sheared off. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the main rotor and mast. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the weather at the airport, about the time of the accident, was wind from 300° at 12 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot landed the gyroplane on runway 35.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.