Amateur-built Sparrowhawk accident near Delaware, Ohio, August 20, 2011
On August 20, 2011 at about 2:45 pm local time, a amateur-built Sparrowhawk (gyroplane), registered N2631B, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Delaware, Ohio (Delaware Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The noncertificated pilot did not maintain adequate airspeed and aircraft control during initial climb.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 20, 2011 · about 2:45 pm local time
- Place
- Delaware, Ohio · Delaware Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Sparrowhawk
- Registration
- N2631B · no longer on the register · serial SH20050011K
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The noncertificated pilot stated that, during initial climb about 20 to 30 feet above the ground, he noticed that the gyroplane's airspeed was lower than intended and that the gyroplane began to drift to the right. He attempted to increase airspeed by lowering pitch, but the gyroplane landed hard and rolled over onto its side. A witness reported seeing the gyroplane in a steep ascent after liftoff before it entered a descending right turn. A postaccident examination did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the gyroplane. Rotational damage sustained to the propeller blades was consistent with engine operation at the time of impact. The pilot reported that he had been receiving instruction toward a pilot certificate but had not obtained a student pilot certificate. He further noted that, although he had a pilot-rated passenger onboard, he was still acting as pilot-in-command and was flying the gyroplane when the accident occurred.
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
What happened, in order
- Abnormal runway contact during takeoff defining event
- Runway excursion during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Qualification/certification › Pilot
Pilot
- Flight time: 12 hours in all; 12 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days; 0 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 578 hours in all; 28 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: August 4, 2011
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 57 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, October 1, 2010
- Maximum gross weight: 1,240 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Subaru EJ25 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KDLZ Delaware OH at 2:45 pm
- Destination: KVTA Heath OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 5,000 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from KDLZ
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
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.