Lunceford Sparrowhawk II accident near Tell City, IN
On July 27, 2010, a Lunceford Sparrowhawk II (gyroplane) was involved in an accident near Tell City, IN. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- July 27, 2010
- Place
- Tell City, IN
- Aircraft
- Lunceford Sparrowhawk II · Gyroplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 38.019°N, 86.692°W
- NTSB ID
- 20100727X22656
Official records · CEN10LA442
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 27, 2010, at 1005 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Lunceford Sparrowhawk II gyroplane, N91814, was substantially damaged during a collision with terrain and subsequent ground fire while maneuvering near the Perry County Municipal Airport (KTEL), Tell City, Indiana. The private pilot survived the accident, but subsequently died of his related injuries on July 28, 2010. The gyroplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that departed KTEL at an unconfirmed time. Several witnesses reported that the gyroplane was maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern before the accident. One of the witnesses noted that the gyroplane was flying about 100 feet above the tree line as it maneuvered toward runway 13 from the north. There were no eyewitnesses to the final moments of the flight; however, all of the witnesses reported hearing a sudden decrease in engine noise immediately before a sound similar to a ground impact. The witnesses reported seeing smoke emanate from the accident site. The gyroplane crashed in a forested area located immediately adjacent to the airport property. First responders to the accident site reported that the pilot was conscious and had already extricated himself from the wreckage, which was completely engulfed in flames. PERSONNEL INFORMATION According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot, age 69, held a private pilot certificate with
Probable cause
The pilot's loss of control of the gyroplane for undetermined reasons.
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Browse: Indiana
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
