# Accident 20260629008619A: Craig Mcpherson MTO SPORT, San Jose, CA, June 29, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 29, 2026, 11:40 local time
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Airport: Reid-Hillview Of Santa Clara C
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.3387° N, 121.8244° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3387&lon=-121.8244&mi=10
- Aircraft: N423AG, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N423AG) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Craig Mcpherson MTO SPORT (registry code 05634F1, https://openairdocs.org/model/craig-mcpherson-mto-sport) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rotax 914UL (registry code 55553, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914ul) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CRAIG MCPHERSON MTO SPORT
- Reported engine: ROTAX 914UL
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Sport pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 245 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR26LA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA237) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260629008619A

## Narrative

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

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO TAKE A PASSENGER ON A LOCAL TRAFFIC PATTERN FLIGHT TO DEMONSTRATE THE GYROPLANE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE PRE-FLIGHT INSPECTION, ENGINE START, RUN-UP, MAGNETO CHECK, AND PRE-TAKEOFF CHECKS REVEALED NO ANOMALIES. THE PASSENGER'S ACCOUNT OF PRE-TAKEOFF EVENTS CORROBORATES THE PILOT'S.

BEFORE TAKING OFF FROM RUNWAY 13L, THE PILOT ENGAGED THE SECONDARY FUEL PUMP. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE TAKEOFF ROLL WAS NORMAL. HOWEVER, WHEN THE MAIN LANDING GEAR WAS ABOUT ONE FOOT ABOVE THE RUNWAY, THE RADIO LOST POWER. HE ATTEMPTED TO RESET THE RADIO POWER BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTORE IT, WHICH HE BELIEVED WAS INDICATIVE OF A MASTER POWER FAILURE. AS THE GYROPLANE APPROACHED THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY ABOUT 130 FT ABOVE GROUND LEVEL, THE PILOT NOTICED THAT THE GYROPLANE WAS NO LONGER CLIMBING AND HAD ENTERED A SLIGHT DESCENT. HE SELECTED A DIRT AREA OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY FOR A FORCED LANDING.

THE GYROPLANE CONTINUED TO DESCEND AND IMPACTED TERRAIN AT ABOUT 15 MPH. RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE FUSELAGE AND MAIN ROTOR.

## 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 WPR26LA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA237), Jun 29, 2026: Autogyro MT03 (N423AG), San Jose, CA, substantial damage, investigation ongoing

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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