Mcculloch J-2 accident near Scappoose, Oregon, November 10, 1989
On November 10, 1989 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Mcculloch J-2 (gyroplane), registered N4379G, was substantially damaged in an accident near Scappoose, Oregon (Scappoose airport). It was an instructional flight 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
DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND FAILURE OF THE STUDENT TO RELINGUISH CONTROL. FACTORS INCLUDE INADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND AN EXCESSIVE DESCENT RATE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 10, 1989 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Scappoose, Oregon · Scappoose · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mcculloch J-2
- Registration
- N4379G · registry record · serial 089
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING A LOCAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE STUDENT PILOT ALLOWED THE GYROPLANE'S AIRSPEED TO GET TOO LOW DURING A SIMULATED EMERGENCY LANDING. AS A RESULT, THE GYROPLANE'S SINK RATE WAS TOO HIGH. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TOOK OVER AND ATTEMPTED TO INCREASE POWER, HOWEVER, SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED WAS NOT ATTAINED BEFORE A HARD LANDING WAS MADE.
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: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; multi-engine sea; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: glider; instructor: gyroplane; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument airplane; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: glider; rotorcraft: gyroplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,085 hours in all; 89 in this make and model; 99 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 4,971 as pilot in command; 3,205 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0, 4,000 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds; not recorded
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.