Amateur-built PARSONS STILES GYRO accident near Festus, Missouri, October 20, 2013
On October 20, 2013 at about 6:10 pm local time, a 2005 amateur-built PARSONS STILES GYRO (gyroplane), registered N7064U, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Festus, Missouri (Festus Memorial airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper propeller adjustment, which resulted in decreased performance and a loss of aircraft control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 20, 2013 · about 6:10 pm local time
- Place
- Festus, Missouri · Festus Memorial · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built PARSONS STILES GYRO NO SERIES, built 2005
- Registration
- N7064U · registry record · serial JW1070
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The sport pilot reported that days prior to the accident flight, he adjusted the propeller and re-installed it without testing its performance. On the accident flight, he departed the runway and remained in ground effect until he reached 50 mph, then began a climb. As he flew the gyroplane to the south, the surrounding terrain elevation decreased and the pilot thought he was climbing. The engine was operating about 6,300 rpm and the airspeed was 40 mph; the engine develops maximum horsepower at 6,750 rpm and the best climb speed is 45 mph. The pilot initiated a left turn to land in a field or back at the airport, but the wind pushed the gyroplane and the pilot lost control. The gyroplane impacted the ground and sustained substantial damage to the tube frame, vertical tail, and rotor blades. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. He reported that the propeller was not adjusted properly in order to provide maximum engine rpm and subsequently maximum climb performance. Due to the slow airspeed, it is likely that the gyroplane experienced an aerodynamic stall.
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 lift during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Climb capability › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Propeller system › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 132 hours in all; 42 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 109 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 8, 2013
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 45 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 1, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 890 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 618UL (piston); 643 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FES Festus MO at 6:00 pm
- Destination: H49 Columbia IL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,202 ft by 49 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 6:15 pm from KFAM, 26 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN14CA039.