Amateur-built AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT accident near Bourland, Texas, October 20, 2012
On October 20, 2012 at about 4:45 pm local time, a amateur-built AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT (gyroplane), registered N589DH, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Bourland, Texas (Bourland Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's decision to fly the gyroplane in gusty wind conditions that exceeded his limitations and his resultant loss of control during takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 20, 2012 · about 4:45 pm local time
- Place
- Bourland, Texas · Bourland Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AUTOGYRO MTO SPORT
- Registration
- N589DH · registry record · serial M0098
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot, who had 10 hours of dual instruction and 1.5 hours of solo flight in the gyroplane make and model, was performing touch-and-go landings in the gyroplane in pursuit of a gyroplane endorsement when the gyroplane impacted terrain during a takeoff, and the fuselage was substantially damaged. The pilot could not recall the accident sequence. The wind at the time of the accident was from 190 degrees at 19 knots gusting to 27 knots. Documentation showed that the pilot had been signed off by his flight instructor to operate the gyroplane solo in wind up to 9 knots. A visual examination of the gyroplane did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the information available, it is likely the pilot did not maintain directional control while taking off in the gyroplane in strong, gusty wind conditions.
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
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff defining event
- Ground collision during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › (general) › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
- cause Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Total experience w/ equipment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private, sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 271 hours in all; 11 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: unk
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 550 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: K50F Bourland TX at 3:15 pm
- Destination: K50F Bourland TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 4,049 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 19 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from KFWS, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.