Amateur-built RAF 2000 accident near Leahy, Washington, August 21, 2000
On August 21, 2000 at about 4:20 pm local time, a amateur-built RAF 2000 (gyroplane), registered N61376, was destroyed in an accident near Leahy, Washington. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of control for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 21, 2000 · about 4:20 pm local time
- Place
- Leahy, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RAF 2000
- Registration
- N61376 · no longer on the register · serial H2-98-9-380
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The homebuilt gyroplane pilot reported that while in cruise, approximately 500-1,000 feet above ground, he lost directional control of the aircraft. He reported that his only method of control was to cross-control with full left cyclic which brought the gyroplane to a flat attitude in a spiral turn to the right. Unable to stop the spiral, he reduced throttle and initiated a spiraling descent to ground impact. A post-crash fire destroyed the gyroplane. Examination of the wreckage revealed no apparent discontinuity in the gyroplane's rudder controls. A horizontal stabilizer had been added to the aircraft which, according to the owner/builder, benefited the in flight stability of the gyroplane.
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: single-engine land
- Flight time: 230 hours in all; 50 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 55 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, August 19, 2000; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,125 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Subaru EJ-22 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: Chelan WA at 4:10 pm
- Destination: WA21 Grand Coulee WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:50 pm from EPH, 32 miles away
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.
Other NTSB records under N61376 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.