Autogyro Cavalon accident near Stroud, OK
On October 18, 2021, an Autogyro Cavalon (gyroplane) was involved in an accident near Stroud, OK. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- October 18, 2021
- Place
- Stroud, OK
- Aircraft
- Autogyro Cavalon · Gyroplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 35.881°N, 96.657°W
- NTSB ID
- 20211019104119
Official records · CEN22FA016
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn October 18, 2021, about 1534 central daylight time, an AutoGyro Cavalon gyroplane, N419LB, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Stroud, Oklahoma. The pilot was fatally injured. The gyroplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A witness reported that the pilot purchased the gyroplane in January 2020 and has been undergoing flight lessons. Two days before the accident was the pilot’s first solo flight. On the day of the accident, the witness observed the gyroplane positioned heading north on a 300-yard long, field. The witness stated the wind was gusting from the south, which was a tailwind. The pilot added full engine power and the gyroplane started its takeoff roll toward the north. However, the gyroplane never lifted off the ground and impacted a barbed wire fence at the end of the field. The witness proceeded toward the accident site, and he observed that the pilot was ejected from the gyroplane. The gyroplane came to rest upright with the engine still running. After calling for help, he turned the engine off via cockpit controls. PERSONNEL INFORMATIONThe pilot’s flight instructor reported that the pilot underwent about 20 total hours of flight training in about a year. The pilot did not live locally to the training facility so he would fly a few hours at a time with large gaps in between. The pilot’s last flight lesson occurred about 3 months prior to the accident. According to the flight instructor, the pilot insisted on moving the gyroplane home so he could fly it more. The f
Probable cause
The pilot’s lack of experience in the gyroplane and his decision to takeoff with a tailwind. As a result, the gyroplane did not generate enough lift to takeoff before it struck a barbed wire fence. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to wear a seatbelt, which would have reduced his level of injury.
More accidents in OK
- Cessna 421C, Sep 4, 1983
- Cessna 421C, Dec 21, 1995
- Extra EA 400, Aug 4, 2018
- Piper PA-32R-300, Sep 5, 2009
- Cessna 500, Mar 4, 2008
Browse: Oklahoma
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
