Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a powerline during landing.
NTSB analysis
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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN18LA002 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 2, 2017
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Mccoy, Texas
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built MTO SPORT
- N-number
- N818PB
- Category
- Gyroplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.