Amateur-built RAF-2000 accident near Wahiawa, Hawaii, January 12, 1998
On January 12, 1998 at about 8:30 pm local time, a amateur-built RAF-2000 (gyroplane), registered N90606, was substantially damaged in an accident near Wahiawa, Hawaii. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control due to inadequate trim adjustments following installation of a larger engine.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 12, 1998 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Wahiawa, Hawaii · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RAF-2000
- Registration
- N90606 · no longer on the register · serial H2-94-5-143
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The accident occurred during the student pilot's first day flying his gyrocopter after installation of a new, more powerful engine. The pilot reported that because of a strong left turning tendency noted during an earlier flight, he had adjusted the rudder trim tab and the trim springs. On the accident flight, approaching the airstrip, the pilot lost directional control upon application of full engine power to arrest the descent. The gyrocopter turned 90 degrees left and crashed into a sugar cane field. The FAA coordinator reported that its examination of the pilot's personal flight record logbook indicated the pilot had last received dual flight instruction in November 1996. The pilot's last 90-day solo flying endorsement was signed by his certified flight instructor (CFI) in April 1997.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Ratings: rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 57 hours in all; 51 in this make and model; 28 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 23 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 9, 1997; 23 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,540 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Subaru EJ-22 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HDH Mokuleia HI at 7:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.