BROCK STEINER Sport Copter Vortex
Spanish Fork, UT — December 8, 2017
Event Information
| Date | December 8, 2017 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA18CA073 |
| Event ID | 20171208X31322 |
| Location | Spanish Fork, UT |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 40.07444, -111.57972 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | BROCK STEINER |
| Model | Sport Copter Vortex |
| Category | GYRO |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | NITE |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
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.
Full Narrative
According to the pilot in 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 nose wheel 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.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.