MONROE, WI, USA
N1025Y
WATERS VORTEX
The pilot stated that shortly after departure while at about 1,200 feet above ground level, he felt the gyroplane slowing down and he noticed a loss of rotor RPM. He initiated an emergency descent and elected to land straight ahead in a cultivated field. The pilot initiated a 180 degree turn to avoid tree and the gyroplane descended to impact with the terrain. The left landing gear dug into the soft plowed field and the gyroplane rolled over onto its left side. Post accident inspection of the gyroplane failed to reveal any mechanical failure and/or malfunction which would have prevented normal operation. The pilot installed a pre-rotor system on the gyroplane the weekend before the accident.
On May 27, 1998, at 1135 central daylight time (cdt), a Waters Vortex gyroplane, N1025Y, impacted the terrain during a forced landing after losing rotor rpm while en route to a private landing strip in Davis, Illinois. The pilot received minor injuries and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The aircraft was being operated as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The flight originated in Monroe, Wisconsin, at 1125 cdt. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The pilot stated that shortly after departure from Monroe Municipal Airport while at about 1,200 feet above ground level, he felt the gyroplane slowing down and he noticed a loss of rotor RPM. He initiated an emergency descent and elected to land straight ahead in a cultivated field. The pilot said he realized he was not going to clear the trees. He initiated a left 180 degree turn and continued his descent to where the gyroplane impacted the terrain. The pilot reported that the left landing gear dug into the soft plowed field and the aircraft rolled over onto its left side. Post accident inspection of the gyroplane by Inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration's Milwaukee Flight Standards District Office failed to reveal any mechanical failure and/or malfunction of the gyroplane or the engine which would have prevented normal operation. The pilot installed a pre-rotor system on the gyroplane the weekend before the accident. Post accident inspection of the pre-rotor system failed to reveal any anomalies.
the pilot's failure to maintain rotor RPM. A factor associated with the accident was the soft terrain on which the gyrocopter touched down.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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