On September 21, 2014, a BRUPBACHER CHRIS CB2000 (registration N5002E) operated by Mahler, Darren J. was involved in an aviation accident near Reserve, LA. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of the flight control rod bearing due to an undetected preexisting corrosion-induced crack, which resulted in the main rotor blades going to full pitch and the rotor mast folding; this allowed the pusher propeller to strike and sever the tail. This summary draws on records from NTSB.
A Brupbacher CB2000 gyroplane crashed into a canal in Reserve, Louisiana, on September 21, 2014, after an unknown item separated from the aircraft. The pilot and passenger were killed.
Accident Overview and Flight History On September 21, 2014, at approximately 1720 central daylight time (2220 UTC), a Brupbacher CB2000 gyroplane, registration N5002E, impacted a canal in Reserve, Louisiana. The accident occurred after an unknown item was observed separating from the aircraft. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries, and the gyroplane was destroyed. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight had just originated from St. John the Baptist Parish Airport (1L0) in Reserve, Louisiana. Witnesses reported seeing the gyroplane take off on runway 35, turn left onto the crosswind leg, and climb to about 200 feet. They observed something fall from the gyroplane, after which the rotor blades folded and the aircraft crashed into a canal and sank. The wreckage was recovered from the canal the following day. ## Personnel and Aircraft Information According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the 47-year-old pilot held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating but was not gyroplane rated. He also held a third-class airman medical certificate dated January 22, 2014, with no restrictions or limitations. His medical application indicated an estimated 260 total flight hours, with 40 hours accrued in the previous six months. Because his logbook was not recovered, his specific flight time in the gyroplane could not be determined. Records showed the pilot had owned the gyroplane for three months. FAA records identified N5002E (serial number H2-02-13-546) as a model CB2000 amateur homebuilt gyroplane constructed by Chris Brupbacher in 2003. A certificate of airworthiness was issued to the pilot on June 16, 2014. The gyroplane was powered by a Subaru 2200 cc, 4-cycle, liquid-cooled automotive engine rated at 130 horsepower. Some aircraft paperwork was recovered from the canal, but no useful information was obtained after it was dried out. ## Meteorological and Aerodrome Information Weather observations were recorded at Louis Armstrong-New Orleans International Airport, located 18 miles east of and nearest to the accident location. At 1653, the wind was from 050 degrees at 5 knots, visibility was 10 miles, sky condition was 4,000 feet scattered, temperature was 31 degrees Celsius, dew point was 19 degrees Celsius, and the altimeter setting was 29.97 inches of mercury. At 1753, the wind was from 050 degrees at 6 knots, visibility was 10 miles, sky condition was clear, temperature was 30 degrees Celsius, dew point was 18 degrees Celsius, and the altimeter setting was 29.97 inches of mercury. St. John the Baptist Parish Airport (1L0) is located 2 miles northwest of Reserve, Louisiana, and 18 miles west of New Orleans, Louisiana. The airport is situated 7 feet above sea level and is equipped with two runways, 17-35, measuring 3,999 feet by 75 feet of asphalt. ## Wreckage, Impact, and Medical Information Airworthiness and operations inspectors from the FAA's Baton Rouge Flight Standards District Office examined the wreckage at the accident site. The gyrocopter impacted in standing water. Once removed, the main rotor mast was observed in a folded position. The rudder was separated from the wreckage and exhibited damage consistent with contact from the pusher propeller. The tail boom and vertical stabilizer were separated from the main wreckage. Examination of the flight control linkage revealed one flight control rod bearing stud fractured. The fracture surface contained corrosion, consistent with the crack being present prior to impact. An additional control rod bearing had surface corrosion similar to the corrosion present on the fractured bearing stud. An autopsy was conducted by the New Orleans, Louisiana, Forensic Center. The autopsy report did not state a cause of death. The report was reviewed by the FAA's research medical officer, who cited the cause of death as multiple traumatic injuries. According to the toxicology report, diphenhydramine was detected in the pilot's urine, and 0.027 micrograms per milliliter (or micrograms per gram) of diphenhydramine was detected in blood (cavity). No carbon monoxide or ethanol was detected. The FAA's medical officer noted that diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Unisom) is an antihistamine used for treating allergic reactions and is also used as a sedative because it causes drowsiness.