AutoGyro Cavalon, N419LB: Fatal accident occurred October 18, 2021 in Stroud, Oklahoma

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 

Rotax Aircraft Engines; Vernon, BC, Canada

https://registry.faa.gov/N419LB

Location: Stroud, OK 

Accident Number: CEN22FA016

Date and 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.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: AutoGyro

Registration: N419LB

Model/Series: Cavalon

Aircraft Category: Gyroplane

Amateur Built: Yes

Operator: On file 

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KCQB,984 ft msl 

Observation Time: 15:35 Local

Distance from Accident Site: 12 Nautical Miles

Temperature/Dew Point: 22°C /7°C

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 

Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 14 knots / 18 knots, 140°

Lowest Ceiling: None 

Visibility: 7 miles

Altimeter Setting: 30.02 inches Hg

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Departure Point: Stroud, OK

Destination: Stroud, OK

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: 

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 Fatal

Latitude, Longitude: 35.881312,-96.657354 

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation may contact them by email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. You can also call the NTSB Response Operations Center at 844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290.