# Accident 20231008016159A: Loren D Jones GYRO TECHNIC VX2, Saint Peter, MN, October 8, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 8, 2023, 16:40 local time
- Place: Saint Peter, MN
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 44.3216° N, 93.9506° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3216&lon=-93.9506&mi=10
- Aircraft: N557LJ, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N557LJ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Loren D Jones GYRO TECHNIC VX2 (registry code 05641TP, https://openairdocs.org/model/loren-d-jones-gyro-technic-vx2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rotax 912ISC series (registry code 55591, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912isc-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LOREN D JONES GYRO TECHNIC VX2
- Reported engine: ROTAX 912ISC
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 10,400 total, 40 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN24LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA006) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231008016159A

## Narrative

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

A GROUP OF 2 GYROCOPTERS DEPARTED THE MANKATO MN AIRPORT (MKT) AND FLEW TO THE LE SUEUR MN AIRPORT (12Y) TO PERFORM TOUCH AND GO’S. THE 2 AIRCRAFT DEPARTED 12Y FLYING ALONG THE RIVER VALLEY BACK TOWARDS MKT. PIC FROM THE SECOND AIRCRAFT STATED THEY WERE FLYING MOSTLY SIDE BY SIDE FLYING LOW OVER THE RIVER AS THEY HAVE DONE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE. AS THEY NEARED SAINT PETER MN THE SECOND AIRCRAFT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 600 FEET AGL TO CLEAR THE BRIDGES AND POWER LINES NEAR TOWN. HE STATED HE WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT AT THE TIME BUT SAW A FLASH BELOW HIM, WHEN HE LOOKED DOWN, HE SAW A SPLASH IN THE RIVER. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST ON ITS SIDE IN WATER 3-5 FEET DEEP. A WITNESS ON SCENE STATED SEEING THE AIRCRAFT STRIKE A POWERLINE THEN FLIPPING UPSIDE DOWN AND FALLING INTO THE RIVER. THE POWERLINE WAS NOT CUT BUT DID HAVE DAMAGE FROM THE IMPACT. DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT INCLUDED MAIN ROTOR BLADES BENT, MISSING NOSE WHEEL AND FORK, MAIN SUPPORT FRAME FRACTURED, MISSING HORIZONTAL STABILIZER, RUDDER BROKEN OFF HINGES, AND 2 OF 4 PROPELLER BLADES BROKEN. ENGINE MONITOR, PFD AND ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WERE REMOVED FROM THE AIRCRAFT AND SENT TO THE NTSB LAB FOR DATA RECOVERY. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS PERFORMED AT THE KIT MANUFACTURERS FACILITY AT A LATER DATE.  CONTROL CONTINUITY WAS CONFIRMED ON ALL ENGINE AND FLIGHT CONTROLS. THE ENGINE WAS ROTATED, THUMB COMPRESSION AND SUCTION WAS CONFIRMED ON ALL CYLINDERS, ENGINE OIL WAS CLEAN AND AT THE PROPER LEVEL. THE OIL FILTER WAS CUT OPEN AND INSPECTED WITH NO DISCREPANCIES NOTED.

## 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 CEN24LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA006), Oct 8, 2023: Gyro Technic GT-VX2 (N557LJ), Saint Peter, MN, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-level maneuvering through a river valley.

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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