Amateur-built RAF 2000 accident near Walla Walla, Washington, December 16, 1998
On December 16, 1998 at about 7:31 pm local time, a amateur-built RAF 2000 (gyroplane), registered N797X, was substantially damaged in an accident near Walla Walla, Washington (Walla Walla Regional airport). It was a personal 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 pilot's failure to maintain directional control after landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 16, 1998 · about 7:31 pm local time
- Place
- Walla Walla, Washington · Walla Walla Regional · 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
- N797X · registry record · serial H2-97-8-302
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was practicing taxi tests after just installing repaired rotor blades and propeller. On his fourth high-speed run, the gyroplane lifted off to approximately 20 feet in altitude. The pilot stated that he closed the throttle and the gyroplane touched down on its tailwheel, then its main gear; while still moving forward with the front wheel elevated, a slight wind gust caused the gyroplane to veer to the right. The pilot stated that he instinctively pushed left rudder, noting that at such slow speed, the rudder is ineffective, however, it does turn the steerable nosewheel to the left. When back pressure was released on the stick, the nosewheel touched down in a left-turn direction, causing the aircraft to roll over due to the sudden turning action.
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: 440 hours in all; 14 in this make and model; 6 in the last 30 days; 376 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,540 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Subaru EJ22 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ALW at 7:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 6,599 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from ALW
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.