Amateur-built RAF2000 accident near Valparaiso, Indiana, January 6, 2008
On January 6, 2008 at about 10:40 pm local time, a amateur-built RAF2000 (gyroplane), registered N1702A, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Valparaiso, Indiana (Dummy airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the landing roll. A factor was the gusting crosswind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 6, 2008 · about 10:40 pm local time
- Place
- Valparaiso, Indiana · Dummy · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RAF2000
- Registration
- N1702A · no longer on the register · serial H2-03-14-577
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The gyroplane received substantial damage when it rolled onto its left side during landing. The gyroplane's main rotor struck the runway, causing the cabin enclosure to roll over about two times before coming to rest on its right side. The pilot reported that the approach was normal, with touchdown on both main wheels. He stated that he reduced power, and then felt the right main wheel come off of the ground. He stated that he attempted to correct by moving the cyclic control to the right and forward, but the gyroplane rolled to its left. The wind conditions reported were from 20 degrees right of runway heading at 15 knots, gusting to 21 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
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Not specified
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Not specified
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Crosswind correction › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 294 hours in all; 154 in this make and model
- Last flight review: August 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Subaru Subaru (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: VPZ Valparaiso IN at 3:40 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 4,001 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 15 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,600 ft; clear
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.77 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from VPZ
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.