The Gyrocopter Had Accumulated 37.8 Flight Hours

Location: Yankton, SD Accident Number: CEN22FA433
Date & Time: September 27, 2022, 10:30 Local Registration: N499AG
Aircraft: Airgyro AG915 Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On September 27, 2022, about 1030 central daylight time, an Airgyro AG915 Spartan gyrocopter, N499AG, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Yankton, South Dakota. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The gyrocopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The gyrocopter was based out of a hangar at the Chan Gurney Municipal Airport (YKN), Yankton, South Dakota. The gyrocopter departed from runway 31 at YKN and traveled to the northwest. Shortly after the takeoff, the gyrocopter impacted a flat grass field on private property. The accident site, about 1,350 ft above msl, was located about 2.3 nm northwest from the departure end of runway 31.

A postimpact fire consumed the composite airframe. The wreckage was recovered from the accident site for further examination.

According to maintenance records, the pilot was the builder of the gyrocopter, and it was manufactured in August 2022. As a repairman, the pilot performed maintenance work on the gyrocopter several days prior to the accident. The maintenance records showed that at the last work entry on September 24, 2022, the gyrocopter had accumulated 37.8 flight hours.

The gyrocopter was equipped with a Rotax Aircraft Engines 915 series engine.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov