# NTSB WPR26LA237: Autogyro MT03, N423AG, San Jose, CA, June 29, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report
- Date: June 29, 2026, 11:48 local (18:48 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.338687, -121.82438
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3387&lon=-121.8244&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Rotax, Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 203283
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA237
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203283/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA237

## Preliminary report

On June 29, 2026, about 1148 Pacific daylight Time, a MTO Sport gyroplane, N423AG, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Reid-Hillview Airport (RHV), San Jose, California. The pilot was seriously injured, and the passenger received minor injuries. The gyroplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. 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. Before taking off from runway 14L, he engaged the secondary fuel pump. The pilot stated that the takeoff roll was normal; however, when the main landing gear was about 6 inches 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 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 system. The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Craig Mcpherson MTO SPORT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05634F1), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N423AG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N423AG), registered now, S/N M01235, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AUTOGYRO MT03
- Registry model: [Craig Mcpherson MTO SPORT](https://openairdocs.org/model/craig-mcpherson-mto-sport) (registry code 05634F1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 914UL](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914ul) (registry code 55553, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane
- Serial number: M01235
- Year built: 2015
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: RHV, Reid Hillview of Santa-Clara County

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observed at: KRHV, 0.5 nm away
- METAR: METAR KRHV 291747Z 17006KT 10SM SKC 22/11 A2989

## 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 20260629008619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260629008619A), Jun 29, 2026: Craig Mcpherson MTO SPORT, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. 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…

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.

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