American Autogyro SPARROWHAWK N2631B
20 August 2011 · Delaware, Ohio, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 20 August 2011 at about 14:45 local time, a American Autogyro SPARROWHAWK registered N2631B was involved in an accident near Delaware, Ohio, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 14:45
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Delaware, Ohio, United States
- Nearest airport
- Delaware Municipal Airport (KDLZ)
- Coordinates
- 40.2797, -83.1147
- Aircraft
- American Autogyro SPARROWHAWK
- Registration
- N2631B
- Category
- Gyrocraft
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Delaware → Heath
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CEN11LA591
People
2 people had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Probable cause
The noncertificated pilot did not maintain adequate airspeed and aircraft control during initial climb.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The noncertificated pilot stated that, during initial climb about 20 to 30 feet above the ground, he noticed that the gyroplane's airspeed was lower than intended and that the gyroplane began to drift to the right. He attempted to increase airspeed by lowering pitch, but the gyroplane landed hard and rolled over onto its side. A witness reported seeing the gyroplane in a steep ascent after liftoff before it entered a descending right turn. A postaccident examination did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the gyroplane. Rotational damage sustained to the propeller blades was consistent with engine operation at the time of impact. The pilot reported that he had been receiving instruction toward a pilot certificate but had not obtained a student pilot certificate. He further noted that, although he had a pilot-rated passenger onboard, he was still acting as pilot-in-command and was flying the gyroplane when the accident occurred.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other American Autogyro SPARROWHAWK accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Nov 2015 | American Autogyro SPARROWHAWK | Wakeman, Ohio, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 May 2011 | Cessna 172 | Ironton, Ohio, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 5 Oct 2011 | Piper PA-38-112 | Centerburg, Ohio, United States | Whittenburg Douglas M | No injuries | - |
| 23 Apr 2011 | D & D ROTORWAY EXEC | Massillon, Ohio, United States | Dubert JAY | Minor injuries | - |
| 3 Dec 2011 | Cessna 172N | Wauseon, Ohio, United States | Stewart Aviation | No injuries | - |
| 20 Jul 2011 | Beechcraft C35 | Medina, Ohio, United States | Flight Services of Medina | No injuries | - |
| 25 Aug 2011 | Nichols LANCAIR 235 | Heath, Ohio, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |