# NTSB WPR23LA126: Trendak Taurus, N553AT, Strawberry Reservoir, UT, March 11, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 11, 2023, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Strawberry Reservoir, UT · Frozen lake/reservoir - Coordinates: 40.17, -111.13 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1700&lon=-111.1300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 106882 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA126 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106882/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106882 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA126 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the snow-covered lake while flying at a low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Airgyro TAURUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=05636TV), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Airgyro TAURUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05636TV), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Terrain: snowy/icy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Airgyro TAURUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md?model=05636TV), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Airgyro TAURUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05636TV), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while flying low over a snow-covered frozen lake, the gyrocopter was closer to the surface than he realized. The pilot increased engine power to attempt to climb away from the surface, however, the nosewheel impacted snow on the surface and the gyrocopter nosed over, rolled, and came to rest on its side. The fuselage, horizontal stabilizer, and rudders were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyrocopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N553AT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N553AT-2023-05-24), registration cancelled 2023-05-24, S/N T&S F26917S, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TRENDAK TAURUS - Registry model: [Airgyro TAURUS](https://openairdocs.org/model/airgyro-taurus) (registry code 05636TV) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912UL series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912ul-series) (registry code 55571, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: T&S F26917S - Year built: 2017 - Airframe hours: 140 - Engines: Rotax 912 UL 2-01 160 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 7, 2023 - Departed: KPVU, Provo, UT - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: center; flight hours: 550.3 total, 33.2 in this make and model, 489 as pilot in command, 13.1 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 0.7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KPVU, 27 nm away - METAR: METAR KPVU 111756Z VRB05KT 10SM FEW060 SCT100 BKN200 03/M05 A3000 RMK AO2 SLP164 T00331050 10039 21017 51008 ## 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 20230311001779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230311001779A), Mar 11, 2023: Airgyro Aviation LLC TAURUS, Strawberry, UT, Substantial damage. The pilot and passenger departed on a sight seeing flight from kpvu with intent to fly to stawberry resivour, then khcr for touch and goes then return to kpvu.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 20, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106882. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 17 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15263110&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA126_6120_flat_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 835 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15263874&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA126_508-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.