Daniel Anthony Proctor M24 ORION PLUS N728RJ

Summary

On 26 November 2022 at about 11:26 local time, a Daniel Anthony Proctor M24 ORION PLUS registered N728RJ was involved in an accident near Suches, Georgia, United States. 2 people were 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

26 November 2022 at 11:26

Classification

Accident

Location

Suches, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

High Valley Airpark (GA87)

Coordinates

34.6981, -84.0111

Aircraft

Daniel Anthony Proctor M24 ORION PLUS

Registration

N728RJ

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2022

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Canton → Blairsville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA23LA072

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's decision to take off from the runway midpoint with a tailwind, which resulted in impact with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The gyroplane pilot reported that he initiated his takeoff midway down the runway with a tailwind. After takeoff, the angle of climb was shallower than expected and the pilot determined that he may not clear the trees beyond the runway’s departure end. He attempted to turn back toward the runway; however, the gyroplane had insufficient altitude and impacted the brush. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and tail section and the passenger was seriously injured. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation and that he gave up safety margin unnecessarily. He stated that he should have performed a full-length departure into the wind.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.