Amateur-built CONDOR N41852 accident near Centralia, Illinois

Probable cause

The failure of the prerotator belt, which impeded the engine's timing belt and resulted in a loss of engine power at low altitude.

NTSB analysis

A witness observed the sport pilot departing in his experimental, amateur-built gyroplane when, about 300 ft above ground level, the gyroplane turned right and the rotor blades began to slow. The gyroplane then made a sharp left turn, descended, and abruptly pitched up before impacting a field. A postaccident examination of the gyroplane found that the belt driving the prerotator had broken and had become entangled in the engine timing belt, which would have resulted in a loss of engine power. No other anomalies were detected with the airframe and engine. An autopsy did not reveal any medical concerns with the pilot.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN16LA096 for the full record.