Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a powerline during landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot was conducting a personal flight in the gyrocopter and planned on landing near his residence. The pilot reported that he made a normal approach near the powerlines; however, a gust of wind pushed the gyrocopter downward and the left landing gear caught a powerline. The pilot lost control of the gyrocopter and it impacted a road and came to rest on its right side. The accident is consistent with the pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a powerline during the landing approach.
Source record
Factual narrative
On October 2, 2017, about 1515 central daylight time, an MTO Sport gyroplane, N818PB, impacted a power line and terrain near McCoy, Texas. The student rated pilot received serious injuries and the gyrocopter was substantially damaged during the accident. The gyrocopter was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot reported to the responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that he planned to land near his residence. The pilot reported that he made a normal approach near the power lines; however, a gust of wind pushed the gyrocopter downward and the left landing gear caught the power line. The pilot lost control of the gyrocopter and it impacted a roadway and came to rest on its right side. The main rotor had separated from the mast and substantial damaged was noted to the fuselage. The Hobbs meter read 47.92 hours. A review of FAA records revealed that the pilot purchased the kit in January 2017, and the gyrocopter received its airworthiness certificate on September 4, 2017. The pilot did not return a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident form (NTSB 6120.1).