History of Flight
On February 1, 2016, about 1435 central standard time, an amateur-built Condor gyroplane, N41852, impacted terrain near Centralia, Illinois. The sport pilot was fatally injured and the gyroplane was substantially damaged. The gyroplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The local flight originated from the Centralia Municipal Airport (KENL) at an unknown time.
According to FAA inspectors, an instructor-rated pilot eyewitness watched the gyroplane depart runway 36. Upon reaching 300 ft above ground level, the gyroplane began a right turn. During the climb, the rotor blades began to slow down. Another witness reported that the engine lost power. The gyroplane made a tight left turn towards the airport, then rolled wings level and began descending in a flat attitude. Prior to impact, the gyroplane pitched up abruptly and struck the ground. The accident occurred about 1 mile from the airport.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 63, held a sport pilot certificate issued on August 24, 2012. His logbook was not located, and his flight experience could not be determined. He used a valid driver's license to exercise sport pilot privileges rather than possessing an FAA medical certificate.
Aircraft Information
The single-engine, two-tandem-seat gyroplane was manufactured in 2012 by the accident pilot. It was powered by a Subaru EJ22 engine driving a four-bladed composite Warp Drive propeller and equipped with Dragon Wings rotor blades. It was issued a Special Airworthiness Certificate as an experimental amateur build on December 22, 2012. The builder listed the gyroplane as a Condor, following the design of a Rotor Flight Dynamics Twin Dominator. The gyroplane restraint system consisted of a single lap belt.
Meteorological Information
At 1435, an automated weather reporting station at KENL reported wind from 040° at 5 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear sky, temperature 54°F, dew point 32°F, and barometric pressure 29.99 inHg.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The gyroplane came to rest on its left side in an open field. All major components were at the accident site. An impact crater was located next to the wreckage. The fuselage was slightly twisted, and the main rotor blades were bent but remained attached to the rotor mast.
Medical and Pathological Information
As of the report writing, an autopsy did not reveal any medical concerns with the pilot. The manner of death resides with the Marion County Coroner and is still undetermined. FAA forensic toxicology tests were negative for carbon monoxide, ethanol, and drugs.
Survival Aspects
The pilot was wearing a helmet similar to a Comtronics Aircraft Helmet, but its make and model could not be verified.
Tests and Research
The gyroplane was recovered to a hangar and examined by an FAA inspector. They found that the belt driving the prerotator had broken and become entangled in the timing belt. No other anomalies were detected with the airframe and engine. The gyroplane's prerotator had a freewheeling mechanism allowing free rotation of the rotor system, and the prerotator would not have been engaged during the accident.