Pilot Debrief

MARK C TIMNEY GT-VX2 near Swanzey, NH — 2025-06-23

Investigation ongoingERA25LA237
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Date
2025-06-23
Location
Swanzey, NH, USA
Airport
EEN
Aircraft
MARK C TIMNEY GT-VX2
Registration
N62XF
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

NTSB has not published a probable cause for this accident yet. Preliminary reports describe what happened; the cause is determined later, often 12–24 months after the event.

NTSB narrative

On June 23, 2025, about 0955 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Gyro Technic GT-VX2 gyrocopter, N62XF, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Swansea, New Hampshire. The sport pilot sustained minor injuries. The gyrocopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The sport pilot reported that he intended to complete two airport traffic pattern circuits for runway 32 at Dillan/Hopkins Airport (EEN), Keene, New Hampshire. He planned to conclude the first circuit with a low approach over the runway and the second circuit with a full stop landing. The first circuit was uneventful; however, during the low approach, about 50 ft above the runway at an airspeed about 50 mph, the pilot applied full throttle approximately halfway down the 4,001-ft-long runway to climb, but the gyrocopter would not climb. He then pitched forward to increase airspeed and rotor speed, but the gyrocopter would still not climb. As his altitude became lower, the pilot decided to perform a forced landing to a grass area beyond the runway, rather than the harder asphalt runway. During the landing, the gyrocopter landed hard, bounced, and rolled over, coming to rest on its left side. The pilot further stated that he was not sure if the engine was unable to produce full power, or if he allowed the gyrocopter to get behind the power curve as he was also visually scanning for two airplanes in the airport traffic pattern for runway 2. Examination of the gyrocopter by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the empennage and main rotor blades. The gyrocopter’s multifunction display and engine control unit were retained for data download.

Preliminary NTSB coding

  • Miscellaneous/other · Maneuvering-low-alt flying
View NTSB preliminary report

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