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N24DN accident description

Idaho map... Idaho list
Crash location 48.728334°N, 116.292777°W
Nearest city Bonners Ferry, ID
48.691326°N, 116.316309°W
2.8 miles away
Tail number N24DN
Accident date 19 Sep 2003
Aircraft type Levick RAF 2000 GTX-SE
Additional details: None

NTSB Factual Report

On September 19, 2003, approximately 0845 Pacific daylight time, a Levick RAF 2000 GTX-SE gyrocraft, N24DN, registered to and being flown by a student pilot, incurred substantial damage during a loss of control while landing on runway 20 at the Boundary County airport, Bonners Ferry, Idaho. The student pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was instructional, was operated under 14 CFR 91, and originated from the Boundary County airport approximately 0745.

The student pilot reported that he decided to make a solo flight and after completing several takeoffs and landings he flew north about 8-10 miles and back. On his return leg he reported encountering some gusty winds and decided to terminate the flight. He reported that during the landing flare (runway 20) the gyro "...turned quickly to the right, probably from a gust of wind...." Rather than land off the runway the student applied full throttle and, thinking the nose was going to impact the ground, he pulled back on the stick resulting in a nose high attitude. Immediately thereafter the main rotor struck the ground and the gyrocraft came to rest on a short stub taxiway. The student pilot reported no mechanical malfunction with the gyrocraft.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in the gyrocraft departing the runway and the main rotor impacting the ground. A contributing factor was wind gusts.

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