NTSB Factual Report

On April 22, 1995, at about 1310 eastern daylight time, a Korzep Bumble Bee 500, N4711G, registered to a private individual, and operated by Gabriel Applegate crashed while on approach to Rockledge Airpark, while operating on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The gyrocopter sustained substantial damage, the non-rated pilot was seriously injured, and died from his injuries 5 days later. The flight originated from the same airpark about 2 minutes before the accident occurred.

Witnesses observed the aircraft overshoot the base to final turn, lose control, and crash. The witnesses also stated that they observed the rotor RPM decay during the turn. Examination of the wreckage by FAA personnel revealed no pre-existing engine or airframe failures. Review of available pilot records revealed the pilot did not hold any airman rating nor medical certificate. A pilot logbook was found that revealed the pilot had logged about 30 hours of flight, of which about 4 hours were in gyrocopters. The airframe and engine logbooks were not located.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM, RESULTING IN THE SUBSEQUENT IN FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL. THE PILOT'S LACK OF QUALIFICATION WAS A FACTOR.