History of Flight
On May 3, 2011, at approximately 1430 central daylight time, a Norris Dominator experimental amateur-built gyroplane, registration N103EB, was substantially damaged when it impacted a telephone line during departure from a private residence near Blue Springs, Nebraska. A postimpact fire occurred. The gyroplane was operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Blue Springs at about 1430.
Witnesses reported that the gyrocopter initiated a takeoff roll from the private runway and, shortly after becoming airborne, struck a telephone line. It then descended to the ground and caught fire. The gyrocopter was consumed by the fire.
Pilot Information
The pilot, aged 68, held a private pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land privileges. He was issued a third-class airman medical certificate on March 17, 2010, with the limitation that he must possess glasses correcting for near vision. His flight logbook could not be located by family; at his last medical application, he reported 650 hours of flight time, with 5 hours in the previous six months.
Aircraft Information
According to FAA records, the pilot manufactured the gyroplane, a Norris Dominator (serial number 001), in 2010. It was registered on a special airworthiness certificate for experimental amateur-built operations. Power was provided by a Subaru EA81 engine rated at 100 horsepower, driving a three-blade composite propeller and a two-blade aluminum main rotor.
The FAA issued Experimental Amateur-Built Aircraft Operating Limitations on November 24, 2010. For the initial 40-hour phase I flight testing, the gyrocopter was restricted to operations within a 25-nautical-mile radius of Beatrice Municipal Airport (KBIE), Beatrice, Nebraska. Maintenance logbooks could not be located; family stated that aside from installing new rotors, no other maintenance was performed before the accident.
Meteorological Information
The nearest official weather observation station was at Beatrice, Nebraska (KBIE), located 10 nautical miles northwest of the accident site. At 1435, the METAR reported wind from 250 degrees at 5 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear sky, temperature 15°C, dew point -1°C, and altimeter 30.27 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact
The accident site was in the middle of a street in front of the pilot's house. The gyroplane impacted the ground on a magnetic heading of 270 degrees. The main wreckage included the seat, instrument panel, fuel tank, engine, propeller, main rotor, and structure, all charred, melted, and partially consumed by fire. FAA inspectors confirmed flight control continuity and found no anomalies in the engine.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy performed on May 4, 2011, determined the cause of death as blunt force trauma, listing specific injuries. Toxicological tests were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, and ethanol. Etomidate was detected in the liver and blood, and 0.031 µg/ml of Midazolam was found in the blood, with trace amounts in the liver. These substances are used for sedation and would have been administered during the pilot's transport to the hospital.