# NTSB ERA25LA359: Edwin Miller Calidus, N4779M, Hopkinsville, KY, September 20, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 20, 2025, 06:10 local (11:10 UTC) - Place: Hopkinsville, KY · Came to rest off paved surface - Coordinates: 36.858024, -87.449983 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8580&lon=-87.4500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 201059 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA359 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201059/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201059 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA359 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the gyroplane, which resulted in dynamic rollover and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Edwin Miller CALIDUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056377A), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Edwin Miller CALIDUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=056377A), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/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 on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Edwin Miller CALIDUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056377A), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Edwin Miller CALIDUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=056377A), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231); cases with it: [Edwin Miller CALIDUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=056377A), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the fifth touch-and-go landing, after the gyroplane accelerated to about 40 knots, it began to roll right. The pilot applied left cyclic; however, it was insufficient to arrest the roll. The gyroplane subsequently entered dynamic rollover to the right, and the main rotor impacted the runway. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4779M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4779M), registered now, S/N C00525, built 2018 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EDWIN MILLER CALIDUS - Registry model: [Edwin Miller CALIDUS](https://openairdocs.org/model/edwin-miller-calidus) (registry code 056377A) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 914UL](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914ul) (registry code 55553, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: C00525 - Year built: 2018 - Airframe hours: 124.4 - Engines: ROTAX 914UL 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 23, 2025 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: HVC, Hopkinsville-Christian County, runway 26, 5,505 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; sport pilot, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 157.7 total, 11.7 in this make and model, 13.8 as pilot in command, 13.3 in the last 90 days, 4.8 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.99 inHg - Observed at: HVC - METAR: METAR KHVC 202335Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 29/16 A2999 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT N= ## 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 20250920017689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250920017689A), Sep 20, 2025: Edwin Miller CALIDUS, Hopkinsville, KY, Substantial damage. The pilot stated during the touch and go practice at 40 mph, the left wheel elevated, more left side stick was applied. Input was insufficient to stabilize the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 30, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201059. 7.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 6.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20186062&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA25LA359_6120_signed_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19782639&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA25LA359%20Photo%20Array_Redacted-Rel.pdf 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.