LAKELAND, FL, USA
CGNAW
HASELOH, D. W. RAF 2000 GTX SE
THE PILOT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT 100 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL WITH OBSTRUCTIONS AHEAD, THE ENGINE FAILED. WHILE MANEUVERING, THE ROTOR RPM DECAYED AND THE GYROPLANE LANDED HARD AND ROLLED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT A 14-GAUGE ELECTRICAL WIRE WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE NEGATIVE TERMINAL OF THE IGNITION COIL FAILED AT THE TERMINAL OF THE IGNITION COIL.
On April 11, 1995, about 1230 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt gyroplane model RAF 2000 GTX SE, Canadian registration CGNAW, registered to Daniel W. Haseloh, landed hard and rolled over during a forced landing at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, Lakeland, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The gyroplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot was not injured. One passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that after takeoff about 100 feet above ground level with obstructions ahead, the engine failed. He maneuvered to avoid the obstructions during which the rotor rpm decayed. The gyroplane then landed hard on the four wheels and rolled onto its left side. Examination of the engine assembly revealed that a 14-gauge electrical wire which by schematic is connected to the negative terminal of the ignition coil, failed at the terminal at the ignition coil.
TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO VIBRATION FAILURE OF A 14-GAUGE ELECTRICAL WIRE WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE NEGATIVE TERMINAL OF THE IGNITION COIL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INADEQUATE DESIGN OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM BY DESIGN PERSONNEL, AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED FOLLOWING THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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