N396S is a 2020 Ela Aviacion ECLIPSE 10. It is a gyroplane with 2 seats, powered by a Rotax 914 series rated at 100 horsepower. The registration is active, with the registrant based in Peru, IL. Its experimental airworthiness certificate was issued in Apr 2021. It has been registered to its current owner since Aug 2023. This page also carries 1 NTSB event.
- 6 years old
- Only 20 Ela Aviacion ECLIPSE 10 here
2023
2021
That's everything on file so far — TailWiki checks the FAA registry daily and adds new entries as N396S's record changes.
The pilot taxied to the runway with the rotor still spinning from his previous landing, maintaining above a 100 rotor rpm on his gyroplane. As he taxied onto the runway, he noted his rotor rpm at 117 and he began to accelerate to build rotor speed, pitching back slightly. The pilot heard a loud pop and thinking he may have blown a tire on his right main landing gear, he glanced over to visually confirm it. He then checked his rotor rpm and found it had decreased to 80. At that same time, the gyroplane began to shake and then quickly turned over on its right side and came to rest on the left side of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the empennage and main rotor.
According to the manufacturer’s pilot operating handbook (POH), when taxiing the rotor is to be aligned with the gyroplane (stationary). The rotor pre-rotation procedure instructs the pilot to “increase engine power slowly until reaching 220 rotor rpm” and has a caution message that states, “CAUTION Start the take-off with the rotor between 150-200 rpm requires a high skill. It is forbidden to proceed with take-off operations if the rotor is under 150 rpm.”
It is likely that the pilot did not have sufficient rotor rpm to avoid rotor flap during the takeoff roll based on his statement. Whether the flat tire occurred during the takeoff or as a result of the gyroplane rolling over on its side was not determined.
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