Amateur-built RAF2000 accident near Anahuac, Texas, August 7, 2021
On August 7, 2021 at about 4:15 pm local time, a 1999 amateur-built RAF2000 (gyroplane), registered UNREG, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Anahuac, Texas (Chambers County airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s incorrect trim system installation, which resulted in a loss of gyroplane control and impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 7, 2021 · about 4:15 pm local time
- Place
- Anahuac, Texas · Chambers County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RAF2000 STD, built 1999
- Registration
- UNREG · no longer on the register · serial H2-99-10-436
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot had just installed a new trim system in the gyroplane and intended to complete a maintenance test flight. During the test flight, the pilot tried to adjust the trim, but nothing happened. The pilot actuated the trim switch again, and the gyroplane pitched up violently. The pilot attempted to override the trim switch but was unable to do so, and the gyroplane rapidly descended from 50 ft to ground impact. The pilot reported after the accident that a trim limit switch was not installed and that the trim system maintenance was probably done incorrectly. Thus, given the available evidence for this investigation, the pilot’s incorrect trim system maintenance likely caused the malfunction during flight and led to the pilot’s loss of gyroplane control.
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
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › Stabilizer control system › Incorrect service/maintenance
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 1,191 hours in all; 15 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Subaru EJ-22 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 1,900 ft by 300 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 11:10 am from KBMT, 30 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KBMT 071610Z AUTO 21004KT 10SM CLR 32/24 A3005 RMK AO2 T03150238
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on January 4, 2023. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Memorandum for Record A�� Investigation Information | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under UNREG the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.