# NTSB CEN25LA256: Farrington Twinstar, N45CL, Greencastle, IN, July 16, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 16, 2025, 13:10 local (17:10 UTC) - Place: Greencastle, IN - Coordinates: 39.633528, -86.813806 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6335&lon=-86.8138&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 200563 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA256 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200563/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA256 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain pitch control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inexperience in the accident gyroplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Littleton David A TWINSTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=05602YG), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Littleton David A TWINSTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05602YG), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Littleton David A TWINSTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=05602YG), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Littleton David A TWINSTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05602YG), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was performing a post inspection test flight of the gyroplane. Prior to the flight, the pilot noticed the control stick pressures were greater than he had experienced with other gyroplanes he had previously flown. The gyroplane’s owner and a mechanic explained the gyroplane’s trim system to the pilot who then adjusted the trim to a setting he assumed would be sufficient to maintain control when the gyroplane was airborne. During takeoff, the gyroplane pitched up and when the pilot attempted to arrest the motion, the backstick forces on the control stick were greater than expected. The pilot lost control of the gyroplane as it continued to pitch upwards, so he reduced the engine power. The gyroplane had pitched to about 60° nose high, rolled left, and impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage. The pilot had flown several models of gyroplanes but had no flight experience in the accident gyroplane. After the accident, the pilot further learned that the gyroplane’s trim had previously been modified with a heavier trim spring which made this gyroplane respond differently than other gyroplanes. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45CL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N45CL), registered now, S/N 004, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FARRINGTON TWINSTAR - Registry model: [Littleton David A TWINSTAR](https://openairdocs.org/model/littleton-david-a-twinstar) (registry code 05602YG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 004 - Year built: 1996 - Airframe hours: 551 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Registered owner: George W. Vandeventer Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 16, 2025 - Airport: KGPC, Putnam County, runway 18, 5,002 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; flight instructor, private, sport pilot; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 26, 2025; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 561 total, 0.3 in this make and model, 501 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 12.8 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KGPC - METAR: METAR KGPC 161715Z AUTO 20008KT 10SM BKN012 BKN017 OVC027 26/25 A2995 RMK AO2 T02610248= ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20250716009689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250716009689A), Jul 16, 2025: Littleton David A TWINSTAR, Greencastle, IN, Substantial damage. On July 16, 2025 at approxiamtely 1330 local time, at the Putnam county airport (gpc) in Greencastle Indiana; an amature built Twinstar single engine… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.