Never Lifted Off Of The Ground And Impacted A Barbed Wire Fence At The End Of The Field

Location: Stroud, OK Accident Number: CEN22FA016
Date & Time: October 18, 2021, 15:34 Local Registration: N419LB
Aircraft: AutoGyro Cavalon Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On 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 he observed the gyroplane on a 300-ft, private, upsloping field. The pilot added full power to the engine and the gyroplane started its takeoff roll toward the north. However, it never lifted off of the ground and impacted a barbed wire fence at the end of the field. The pilot was ejected from the gyroplane, and the gyroplane came to rest upright. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the rotor assembly and vertical stabilizer.

The nearest weather reporting station was about 7 miles northwest of the accident site. At the time of the accident, wind was reported from 140° at 14 gusting to 18 knots.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov