Amateur-built RAF 2000 GTX SE accident near Lakeland, Florida, April 11, 1995
On April 11, 1995 at about 4:30 pm local time, a amateur-built RAF 2000 GTX SE (gyroplane), registered CGNAW, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lakeland, Florida (Lakeland Linder Regional 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
TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO VIBRATION FAILURE OF A 14-GAUGE ELECTRICAL WIRE WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE NEGATIVE TERMINAL OF THE IGNITION COIL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INADEQUATE DESIGN OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM BY DESIGN PERSONNEL, AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED FOLLOWING THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 11, 1995 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Lakeland, Florida · Lakeland Linder Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RAF 2000 GTX SE RAF 2000 G
- Registration
- CGNAW · no longer on the register · serial H2-95-6-157
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT 100 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL WITH OBSTRUCTIONS AHEAD, THE ENGINE FAILED. WHILE MANEUVERING, THE ROTOR RPM DECAYED AND THE GYROPLANE LANDED HARD AND ROLLED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT A 14-GAUGE ELECTRICAL WIRE WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE NEGATIVE TERMINAL OF THE IGNITION COIL FAILED AT THE TERMINAL OF THE IGNITION COIL.
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: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 1,450 hours in all; 1,450 in this make and model; 500 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 53 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 28, 1995; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,540 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Subaru EJ 22 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:55 pm from LAL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.