Amateur-built Sparrowhawk N80825 accident near Wakeman, Ohio

Probable cause

A loss of engine power/performance for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB analysis

The private pilot was conducting a local personal flight. The pilot reported that, during takeoff, he maintained "cyclic balance" until the gyrocopter lifted off at 65 mph. Subsequently, the red alarm light, which was designed to illuminate if the exhaust gas temperature or cylinder head temperature was exceeded, illuminated. The pilot scanned his instrument panel but noted nothing else anomalous. The gyrocopter started to descend, and the pilot was unable to maintain altitude or climb. The pilot maneuvered the gyrocopter to avoid obstacles and trees, and during the forced landing to a field, it rolled left.

An examination of the engine, airframe, and systems revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The investigation could not determine why the light illuminated or the gyrocopter's performance degraded.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN16LA031 for the full record.