N94470Blevens Gary VORTEX · 2007

On April 19, 2008, about 1749 central standard time, an amateur built single-engine Blevins Vortex gyrocopter, N94470, was substantially damaged upon collision with terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering at Goliad County Industrial Airpark (7T3). The pilot, the sole occupant of the gyrocopter, was fatally injured. The gyrocopter was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from 7T3, near Berclair, Texas, at an unknown time.

There were no eyewitnesses to the accident.

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. No records were found to suggest that the pilot held a sport pilot certificate. No personal flight records were located for the pilot and no application for a medical certificate was located. The pilot's flight time in gyrocopters could not be determined.

The 2007-model Vortex gyrocopter, serial number 056, was equipped with a single pusher engine, teetering blade rotor system, and was configured for one occupant. The gyrocopter was powered by a two cylinder Rotax 582 engine rated at 64 horsepower, and was driving a three-bladed Wood Comp composite propeller. The gyrocopter's airframe and engine maintenance records where not located during the course of the investigation.

The gyrocopter's special airworthiness certificate was issued January 28, 2008.

At 1746, the automated weather observing system at the Beeville Municipal Airport (BEA), near Beeville, Texas, located approximately 18 nautical miles to the southwest, reported winds from 120 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 19 knots, visibility 10 miles, skies clear, temperature 82 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 39 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 29.95 inches of Mercury.

An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the accident site. The inspector reported that the gyrocopter had impacted a flat open field and had come to rest on its right side. There was no evidence of a post crash fire. Control continuity was established to all flight and engine controls. All major components were accounted for at the accident site.

According to the FAA inspector, two of four bolts in the main rotor head squash plate appeared to be improperly torqued; however, investigators could not determine if this contributed to the accident.

Damage to the propeller was consistent with the engine producing power at the time of impact.

The reason for the loss of control could not be determined.

The Office of Medical Examiner of Travis County, located in Austin, Texas, performed an autopsy on the pilot on April 20, 2008. The cause of death was listed as, "multiple blunt force injuries."

The FAA, Toxicology Accident Research Laboratory, located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, conducted toxicological testing on the pilot. The results of the test were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol, and tested drugs.