Rotor Flight Dynamics DOMINATOR UNREG

Summary

On 15 November 2024 at about 22:15 local time, a Rotor Flight Dynamics DOMINATOR registered UNREG was involved in an accident near Gilbert, Minnesota, 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

15 November 2024 at 22:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Gilbert, Minnesota, United States

Coordinates

47.4227, -92.4771

Aircraft

Rotor Flight Dynamics DOMINATOR

Registration

UNREG

Category

Gyrocraft

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Eveleth → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN25LA046

1 person was seriously injured.

A total loss of engine power and subsequent autorotation to a swamp, that resulted in a rollover. Contributing to the pilot’s delayed egression from the gyroplane, was the lack of a restraint system cutting device.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The non-certificated pilot departed from the airport in the unregistered experimental gyroplane for a local area flight. Shortly after departure, the experimental 2-stroke engine sustained a total loss of engine power. The pilot initiated an autorotation to a swamp. After successfully landing the gyroplane, the pilot began the shutdown process. However, due to the “spongy and soft” ground, the gyroplane began to “wobble,” and the gyroplane rolled over to the right. The pilot was then pinned under the gyroplane, and he was unable to release the lap belt. About an hour later, he found his cellular phone and contacted first responders who were able to later extract him from the gyroplane. The single seat gyroplane, with no airframe serial number, sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system and the empennage. Postaccident examination revealed that the gyroplane had an empty weight of about 405 pounds, that exceeded the 254-pound empty weight limit for powered ultralight vehicles. The pilot reported the gyroplane held “5 to 6 gallons” of fuel, as powered ultralight vehicles are not to exceed a 5-gallon fuel capacity per regulation. When the pilot purchased the gyroplane several months prior to the accident, it came with no documentation, and thus the maintenance history for the airframe and the engine was undetermined. The engine manufacturer has previously published a warning that states, “This engine, by its design, is subject to sudden stoppage.” As a lesson learned, the pilot suggested to have a cutting device available if an occupant is unable to activate the release mechanism for a restraint system.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.