NTSB Factual Report

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On October 4, 2014, about 1817 mountain daylight time, a Celier Aviation model Xenon R gyroplane, N719MB, was destroyed when it impacted power transmission wires near Loma, Colorado. The commercial pilot and passenger received fatal injuries. The aircraft was registered to Western Centurion LLC, and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not on a flight plan. The local flight originated from the Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT), Grand Junction, Colorado, about 1800.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot, age 61, held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land, airplane single-engine sea, instrument airplane, helicopter, and gyroplane ratings. The pilot was issued a second-class airman medical certificate, with a restriction for corrective lenses, on January 6, 2014.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The aircraft was a 2007 Celier Xenon R gyroplane, serial number CAK04071R. It was a single rotor gyroplane with two seats and was powered by a single Rotax 912S engine rated to produce 100 horsepower. According to manufacturer's information, the gyroplane was a two-seat gyrocopter with a fixed tricycle landing gear arrangement. The main structural component was the composite fuselage. Two metal tail booms exited the rear of the fuselage and had vertical stabilizers and rudders mounted to each boom. A horizontal stabilizer and elevator was mounted between the vertical stabilizers. The control surfaces were also of composite construction. A metal mast was affixed to the fuselage structure, on which the control head with the lifting rotor was mounted. The two-blade rotor had a metal structure with blades made from drawn aluminum.

According to FAA records, the gyroplane was issued an experimental category airworthiness certificate on January 18, 2008, for the purpose of operating a light-sport aircraft as an existing aircraft that did not meet the definition of an ultralight aircraft. Registration information indicated that the gyroplane was purchased by Western Centurion LLC, on December 28, 2009.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

Weather conditions recorded by the GJT Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS), located about 15 miles east of the accident site, at 1753, were: wind from 280 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 10 mile, clear skies, temperature 19 degrees Celsius, dew point 3 degrees Celsius, and altimeter 30.13 inches of mercury.

According to astronomical data, sunset would have occurred about 1853 on the day of the accident.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The gyroplane impacted a static wire that crossed the Colorado River, near Loma, Colorado. The wire was strung between poles on opposite sides of the river and was estimated to be about 50 feet above the river's surface. The gyroplane came to rest in the river on its right side. The gyroplane's rotor and mast system had been torn from the fuselage. The forward cabin section of the gyroplane was separated. The mast mount had impact signatures that were consistent with a wire strike.

Postaccident examinations did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

An autopsy of the pilot was performed by the Mesa County Coroner's Office, Mesa, Colorado, on October 5, 2014. The pilot's death was attributed to injuries received in the accident.

Toxicology testing was performed by the FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute. Testing results found the following substances:

Famotidine detected in Urine

Famotidine NOT detected in Blood (Aortic)

Ibuprofen detected in Urine

Oxymetazoline detected in Urine

Oxymetazoline NOT detected in Blood (Aortic)

Oxymetazoline was a decongestant used in the treatment of nasal congestion. Famotidine inhibits stomach acid production, and is commonly used in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Ibuprofen was a nonnarcotic analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent that is available in prescription, as well as nonprescription, forms.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a static wire and his decision to maneuver the gyroplane at low altitude.