Amateur-built Sparrowhawk accident near Wakeman, Ohio, November 4, 2015
On November 4, 2015 at about 6:00 pm local time, a 2006 amateur-built Sparrowhawk (gyroplane), registered N80825, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Wakeman, Ohio (Ortner Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power/performance for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 4, 2015 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Wakeman, Ohio · Ortner Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Sparrowhawk, built 2006
- Registration
- N80825 · no longer on the register · serial 001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot was conducting a local personal flight. The pilot reported that, during takeoff, he maintained "cyclic balance" until the gyrocopter lifted off at 65 mph. Subsequently, the red alarm light, which was designed to illuminate if the exhaust gas temperature or cylinder head temperature was exceeded, illuminated. The pilot scanned his instrument panel but noted nothing else anomalous. The gyrocopter started to descend, and the pilot was unable to maintain altitude or climb. The pilot maneuvered the gyrocopter to avoid obstacles and trees, and during the forced landing to a field, it rolled left. An examination of the engine, airframe, and systems revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The investigation could not determine why the light illuminated or the gyrocopter's performance degraded.
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 engine power (partial) during maneuvering defining event
- Roll over during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private, sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider; rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 308 hours in all; 0.4 in this make and model; 23 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 196 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 30, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection, May 2, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Subaru EJ 25 (piston); 40 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: I64 Wakeman OH at 6:00 pm
- Destination: I64 Wakeman OH
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from KLPR, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on May 12, 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 1 page | 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.