# Accident 20170928011389A: Hickox Andy ANDYS GYROPLANE, Umatilla, FL, September 28, 2017

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 28, 2017, 11:30 local time
- Place: Umatilla, FL
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 28.9078° N, 81.6364° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9078&lon=-81.6364&mi=10
- Aircraft: N152AH, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N152AH-2020-12-05) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hickox Andy ANDYS GYROPLANE (registry code 05621ZJ, https://openairdocs.org/model/hickox-andy-andys-gyroplane) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Subaru ALL MDLS A/B (registry code 59050, https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-all-mdls-a-b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HICKOX ANDY ANDYS GYROPLANE
- Reported engine: SUBARU ALL MDLS A/B
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 2,247 total, 23 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA17FA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA339) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170928011389A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2017, ABOUT 1122 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, AN AMATEUR BUILT GYROPLANE, N152AH, IMPACTED A WOODED AREA NEAR UMATILLA, FLORIDA. THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED AND THE GYROPLANE WAS DESTROYED. THE GYROPLANE WAS BEING OPERATED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF 14 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS (CFR) PART 91 AS A PERSONAL FLIGHT. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED FOR THE LOCAL FLIGHT WHICH ORIGINATED ABOUT 1 HOUR 22 MINUTES EARLIER FROM BOB WHITE FIELD AIRPORT (X61), ZELLWOOD, FLORIDA.

ACCORDING TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) INSPECTOR WHO SPOKE WITH A PERSON AT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT, THE GYROPLANE WAS OBSERVED DEPARTING. AFTER DEPARTURE THERE WAS NO FURTHER COMMUNICATION WITH THE PILOT. A WITNESS AT A NEARBY BEE FARM REPORTED TO THE FAA INSPECTOR SEEING THE GYROPLANE FLY OVER HIS POSITION IN A NORTH-NORTHWESTERLY DIRECTION. THE WITNESS REPORTED THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, FOLLOWED BY HEARING 2 POPPING SOUNDS, 1 LARGE POP SOUND, AND THEN THE ENGINE LOST TOTAL POWER. AT THAT TIME WHILE ABOUT 50 TO 60 FT ABOVE THE TREE TOPS, THE WITNESS OBSERVED A LARGE MAIN ROTOR BLADE SEPARATE. THE GYROPLANE BEGAN DESCENDING AND HE LOST SIGHT BUT THEN HEARD AN IMPACT. HE DROVE TO THE ACCIDENT SITE AND INFORMED THE PROPERTY OWNER OF THE ACCIDENT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA17FA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA339), Sep 28, 2017: Hickox Andy Andys Gyroplane (N152AH), Umatilla, FL, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's improper response to a total loss of engine power, which resulted in main rotor blade contact with the rudder and vertical stabilizer, and a subsequent uncontrolled descent. The loss of…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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