Accident Overview
On June 8, 2012, at approximately 1645 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Dogbee gyroplane, registration N1481, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near Wrens, Georgia. The certificated student pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which was operated under Part 91 of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations.
Witness Accounts
A witness who was also a gyroplane pilot and knew the accident pilot arrived at Wrens Memorial Airport (65J) around 1500 and began unloading his gyroplane. The accident pilot arrived earlier and was assembling his rotor. The witness noted the pilot seemed in good spirits. Both departed 65J and flew around the airport for 5 to 10 minutes before heading north to overfly nearby fields. The witness flew approximately one-quarter mile behind at a similar altitude. They were in radio contact, and the accident pilot's transmissions were clear.
A set of transmission lines lay about three-quarters of a mile northwest of 65J, with lower overhead lines about one-tenth of a mile further. At 400 to 500 feet, both gyroplanes were high enough to clear the lines. After crossing the transmission lines but before reaching the overhead lines, the accident gyroplane began a descending left turn. The witness described the turn as normal and smooth, expecting it to straighten out. Instead, it continued descending until ground impact, followed by an immediate post-crash fire. No anomalies or distress calls were observed.
A second witness on an adjacent road saw the accident gyroplane flying 50 to 70 feet above a field, with a second gyroplane 200 yards behind at slightly higher altitude. The accident gyroplane approached a set of overhead lines perpendicular to its path, then made a steep 180-degree left turn and impacted the ground, appearing almost on its side.
Wreckage Examination
An FAA inspector noted the gyroplane came to rest near the edge of a plowed cotton field, about 20 feet from a wooded area. Most of the structure was consumed by post-impact fire. The main rotor separated and was found suspended in a tree. The engine and two of three propeller blades remained intact. Wreckage examination revealed two of four rotor control rods failed at impact; the others were fire-damaged. The throttle was aft. Engine continuity was confirmed to both cylinders; spark plugs showed normal wear. Cyclic and rudder control continuity could not be established due to fire damage.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The gyroplane was built by the pilot and issued an FAA Airworthiness certificate on March 22, 2012. It had a Rotax 503 DCDI, 50-hp engine, a 3-bladed Warp Drive propeller, and Sport Copter rotor blades. No maintenance logs were found. The pilot held a student pilot certificate issued in May 2010; flight logs could not be located, so total flight experience was undetermined.
Weather and Toxicology
A weather observation at 1655 from Thomson-McDuffie County Airport (HQU), 20 nautical miles north, reported winds from 120 degrees at 6 knots, 10 miles visibility, broken clouds at 7,000 and 8,000 feet, temperature 29°C, dew point 15°C, and altimeter 30.04 inHg. An autopsy listed cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicological testing detected no carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol, or drugs.