Groom Sparrow Hawk near Tulsa, OK — 2008-07-31

Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the gyroplane. Contributing to the accident was the lack of recent flight instruction prior to the flight.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot was attempting to take off from the airfield when the gyroplane climbed out of ground effect. The pilot noted that the gyroplane did not want to climb or maintain altitude and began descend. The pilot commanded a right turn and the descent rate began to increase. The forced landing was set up in a nearby field. A hard landing was reported by the pilot and the gyroplane rolled onto its left side. The pilot was able to egress without assistance. A review of the pilot's log book revealed that the student pilot had not received an endorsement from a flight instructor within the prescribed 90 days of the solo flight. An NTSB 6120 was not submitted prior to the completion of this case.

NTSB coding

• Loss of control in flight · Takeoff
• Loss of Control on Takeoff/Initial Climb
• Experience / Qualifications

Related mishaps

• CESSNA 170B

  2026-07-10 · Hartwell, GA

• CASSUTT IIIM

  2026-07-05 · Odessa, TX

• CESSNA 172H

  2026-05-25 · Berryville, AR

• COMMANDER AIRCRAFT CO 114TC

  2026-05-23 · Woodruff, WI

• BELL 206-L4

  2026-05-23 · Cedar City, UT

• CESSNA 172S

  2026-05-18 · Harrison, NY