Mccullough J-2 accident near Indian Trail, North Carolina, October 12, 2006
On October 12, 2006 at about 5:00 pm local time, a Mccullough J-2 (gyroplane), registered N4362G, was substantially damaged in an accident near Indian Trail, North Carolina (Goose Creek Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusting wind conditions and his improper landing flare during an emergency landing after takeoff resulting in a hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 12, 2006 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Indian Trail, North Carolina · Goose Creek Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mccullough J-2
- Registration
- N4362G · no longer on the register · serial 72
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, "on takeoff roll runway 22, approximately midfield, [the] aircraft encountered strong gusting right crosswind. Traveling about 60 knots, I applied full right rudder but was pushed off [the] left edge of the runway. After rotation at approximately 50 feet agl, wind gust from [the] right again pushed aircraft left, toward off-airport utility building. I applied left correction to avoid collision and attempted emergency landing in adjacent field. Aircraft landed hard and sustained damage." There were no mechanical problems discovered during the post-accident examination of the gyroplane.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 570 hours in all; 4 in this make and model; 474 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 511 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 1, 2006; 11 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 28A Indian Trail NC at 5:00 pm
- Destination: GEV Jefferson NC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 2,350 ft by 35 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 13 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 29.77 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from EQY
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.