Amateur-built AR-1 N14968 accident near Hawley, Minnesota

Probable cause

An in-flight loss of control and collision with terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the gyroplane departed on a local personal flight in visual meteorological conditions at an unknown time. Several witnesses saw the gyroplane descending straight down and impacting the ground near the departure airport. All major components of the aircraft were located at the accident site. No preimpact anomalies were noted with the gyroplane. The pilot had built the gyroplane from a kit about a year before the accident. As best as could be determined from his flight records, the pilot had received about 36 hours of flight instruction in the gyroplane. Autopsy and toxicology testing of the pilot revealed no evidence of physiological impairment or incapacitation, and the reason for the gyroplane's descent and impact with terrain could not be determined.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN19FA218 for the full record.