Amateur-built RAF 2000 GT accident near Humboldt, Iowa, August 9, 2015
On August 9, 2015 at about 11:55 pm local time, a 2012 amateur-built RAF 2000 GT (gyroplane), registered N315LK, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Humboldt, Iowa. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of gyroplane control while maneuvering at low altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 9, 2015 · about 11:55 pm local time
- Place
- Humboldt, Iowa · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RAF 2000 GT, built 2012
- Registration
- N315LK · no longer on the register · serial 6456
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The sport pilot and passenger were on a local flight in the gyroplane. The passenger reported that, after about 30 minutes of flight, the pilot made a low-altitude pass over the passenger's home. The gyroplane started to descend below the tallest trees on the property at a low-power setting, and as it approached the ground, the pilot rapidly increased engine power, likely to stop the descent. The gyroplane subsequently banked right and impacted a tree in the passenger's front yard. Postaccident examination of the gyroplane revealed no evidence of any preimpact failures, and no evidence was found indicating that the rotor blades struck the rudder or propeller blades.
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 maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 150 hours in all; 150 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 150 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 9, 2014
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 197 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, July 9, 2015; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,540 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Subaru EJ 2.2 (piston); 197 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 0K7 Humboldt IA at 11:25 pm
- Destination: 0K7 Humboldt IA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on March 9, 2016. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Witness Statements | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos of Accident Site and Gyroplane | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Federal Aviation Administration Examinations | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | NTSB Materials Lab - Prop Fragments Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Onboard Image Recorder - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.