Amateur-built RAF 2000 GTX SE accident near Olympia, Washington, August 15, 1997
On August 15, 1997 at about 6:30 pm local time, a amateur-built RAF 2000 GTX SE (gyroplane), registered N9155H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Olympia, Washington (Olympia airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to attain adequate rotor rpm prior to takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 15, 1997 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Olympia, Washington · Olympia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RAF 2000 GTX SE RAF 2000 G
- Registration
- N9155H · no longer on the register · serial H2-95-6-165
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During takeoff with a gyroplane, the pilot initiated the takeoff with a rotor speed of 150 rpm in order to expedite his takeoff for a landing airplane. As the aircraft became airborne, it started a roll to the left and the rotor blades struck the ground.
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: 153 hours in all; 17 in this make and model; 31 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 108 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 72 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 15, 1997; 25 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,540 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Subaru LEGACY (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OLM
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 5,419 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 225° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
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.