Robert Hamblin AUTOGYRO GMBH CAVALO N721E

Summary

On 27 May 2017 at about 18:00 local time, a Robert Hamblin AUTOGYRO GMBH CAVALO registered N721E was involved in an accident near Fort Worth, Texas, 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.

Date

27 May 2017 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Fort Worth, Texas, United States

Coordinates

32.8058, -97.5425

Aircraft

Robert Hamblin AUTOGYRO GMBH CAVALO

Registration

N721E

Category

Gyrocraft

Year built

2016

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Blum → Fort Worth

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA17CA308

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the gyrocopter reported that, after flying over his passenger's house to take pictures, he headed back to the airport. He added that, while in level flight, he noticed that "the trees on the ground under [him were] rapidly getting closer." He initially presumed something was wrong with the engine, so he reduced throttle and then successfully applied full throttle in an attempt to troubleshoot the situation. He made a left 180° turn, and the gyrocopter struck trees and impacted terrain. The gyrocopter sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gyrocopter that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he had presumed the terrain he was flying over was flat but later realized he had flown into rising terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.