Blades Reportedly Came Apart, Striking Pilot In Head

One man was killed, another hospitalized, after the rotor blades on a gyroplane apparently came apart during a take-off attempt on Friday, suggesting that a probable lack of proper rotor RPM and an "unloaded" rotor led to an uncontrolled flapping action and the subsequent break-up of the rotor system.

There was no immediate indication of the aircraft make or model involved and media reports were pretty wild to say the least (one source said the aircraft sported dual rotors...). Authorities in Jacksonville (FL) say 54-year old Ashley Godeaux was taking off from Flagler County Airport when the blades came apart on the 10-year old aircraft. One of the blade segments hit him in the head. The aircraft veered off the runway and came to rest in a grassy area of the airport.

Godeaux's instructor, 59-year old Bill Ortmayer of Palm Coast (FL), was rushed to a nearby hospital. Officials at Halifax Medical Center refused to discuss his condition.

One of the more ignoble quotes repeated by local media notes that, "The wind can blow them over because they're so light," according to Troy Harper of the Flagler County Emergency Management--who is apparently not a rotorcaft pilot.

The FAA and NTSB will investigate.

FMI: www.faa.gov