Amateur-built RAF 2000 accident near Omaha, Nebraska, December 7, 2019
On December 7, 2019 at about 6:55 pm local time, a 1997 amateur-built RAF 2000 (gyroplane), registered N47EB, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Omaha, Nebraska (Millard Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of directional control while landing in gusting wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 7, 2019 · about 6:55 pm local time
- Place
- Omaha, Nebraska · Millard Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RAF 2000 GTX, built 1997
- Registration
- N47EB · no longer on the register · serial H2-95-6-156
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was conducting takeoffs and landings in the gyroplane when the airplane encountered windshear just above the runway during landing. The gyroplane veered right, touched down in the grass, became airborne, then impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage. Another pilot reported that he also experienced windshear during the landing approach and saw that the pilot of the accident aircraft "appeared to be struggling to maintain control." The accident pilot reported that he had not flown the aircraft "in a while" and that the gusting wind conditions were the primary factor that resulted in his loss of control. Recorded wind conditions about the time of the accident included wind at 13 knots with gusts to 17 knots.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Windshear or thunderstorm during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Loss of control on ground during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Recent experience › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Contributed to outcome
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent rate › Capability exceeded
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,540 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Subaru EJ-22 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MLE Omaha NE
- Destination: MLE Omaha NE
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 12, 3,801 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 13 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 7:55 pm from KMLE
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on March 31, 2020. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statements | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Records (Excerpts) | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Caa Mandatory Permit Directive | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.