Amateur-built GYRO-KOPP-TER accident near Citra, Florida, March 16, 2002
On March 16, 2002 at about 5:45 pm local time, a amateur-built GYRO-KOPP-TER (gyroplane), registered N6158F, was substantially damaged in an accident near Citra, Florida (Paniola Air Ranch airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilots failure to maintain flight control, followed by a subsequent collision with the terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 16, 2002 · about 5:45 pm local time
- Place
- Citra, Florida · Paniola Air Ranch · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built GYRO-KOPP-TER
- Registration
- N6158F · no longer on the register · serial GK393S81002
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The experimental gyrocopter collided with terrain on departure from a private airstrip in Citra, Florida. According to witnesses, they went into their house and said they heard a "strange noise" followed by an apparent reduction in power. The gyrocopter was found in wooded area on the side of the strip. Examination of the aircraft revealed continuity of all flight controls. The pusher propeller was broken and the rotor blades were bent. The rudder was found still hanging by its cables. Examination of the gyrocopter failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 65 hours in all; 16 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 58 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Subaru 59050 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FD14 Citra FL at 5:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 01, 3,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 9,500 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from GNV
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.