NYC05LA027

While maneuvering to land in an open field, an unregistered amateur built gyrocopter, piloted by an uncertificated pilot, contacted a wire and impacted the ground. Witnesses reported no mechanical abnormalities with the gyrocopter prior to it contacting the wire, and examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact failures or malfunctions.

On December 3, 2004, about 1530 eastern standard time, an unregistered Air Command amateur built gyrocopter was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground near Wilmont, Ohio, while maneuvering to land in an open field. The non-certificated pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that departed the Beach City Airport (2D7), Beach City, Ohio, destined for an open field across from the pilot's house. No flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to a witness, he arrived at the airport and assisted the pilot and passenger with removing the gyrocopter from a hangar. To the witness, everything looked new on the gyrocopter and in good condition. The pilot completed the preflight, did not mention identifying any discrepancies, and then started the engine. He let the engine operate for 10 to 15 minutes, and it "sounded good." The witness then watched the pilot, along with the passenger, board the gyrocopter and taxi to the runway. He did not watch the takeoff because he needed to drive to the planned landing area to help move the gyrocopter from the field to the pilot's garage to be stored for the winter.

The witness arrived at the field a couple of minutes prior to hearing the gyrocopter approach. He then saw the pilot and passenger wave as they circled overhead approximately 50 feet agl, and the gyrocopter appeared to be functioning normally. As the gyrocopter started to maneuver to land, the witness saw it pitch up just prior to contacting a wire. The gyrocopter contacted the wire, immediately pitched down, and impacted the ground.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot's most recent third class medical certificate was issued on July 22, 1993, along with a student pilot certificate. On that date, the pilot reported zero flight experience. No further pilot records were identified.

A weather observation taken about 19 miles to the northwest of the accident site, approximately 23 minutes after the accident, recorded the following; wind 300 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 miles, scattered clouds at 3,700 feet, temperature 33 degrees Fahrenheit, dewpoint 21 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.04 inches of mercury.

According to a FAA inspector, examination of the gyrocopter revealed no preimpact failures or malfunctions.

An autopsy was performed on the pilot at the Medical Examiner's Office in Massillon, Ohio, on December 4, 2004.

The FAA Toxicology and Accident Research Laboratory in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicological tests on the pilot on January 27, 2005.