Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain situational and geographic awareness during the flight, which resulted in him becoming lost and exhausting the gyroplane’s fuel.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot of the experimental amateur-built gyroplane, during a solo cross-country flight, he became lost and decided to follow a nearby highway. Unfamiliar with the area, he exhausted the gyroplane's fuel supply and landed on a highway. The gyroplane's nosewheel struck a passing car, but the gyroplane was able to touch down and stop on the right shoulder of the highway. A passing semi-truck struck the rotor blades of the gyroplane.
The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the rotor system.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA073 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 8, 2017
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Spanish Fork, Utah
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Amateur-built Sport Copter Vortex
- N-number
- N395SC
- Category
- Gyroplane
- Year built
- 2003
- 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.