Amateur-built TERCEL accident near Cokeville, Wyoming, June 11, 2018
On June 11, 2018 at about 1:15 pm local time, a 2015 amateur-built TERCEL (gyroplane), registered N640BE, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Cokeville, Wyoming. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of gyrocopter control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the gyrocopter revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures 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
- June 11, 2018 · about 1:15 pm local time
- Place
- Cokeville, Wyoming · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built TERCEL NO SERIES, built 2015
- Registration
- N640BE · no longer on the register · serial T&SG20815S
- 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, while performing maneuvers in the gyrocopter south of the private airstrip, he felt no response when he applied left cyclic, and the gyrocopter "was stuck in a moderate right turn." The pilot initiated an emergency descent back to the private airstrip. During the approach, the pilot was unable to regain control of the gyrocopter, and it impacted terrain while sliding to the right. The gyrocopter rolled over and came to rest on its right side. Postaccident examination of the gyrocopter revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during maneuvering
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- Loss of control in flight during landing defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 95 hours in all; 90 in this make and model; 70 in the last 90 days; 35 in the last 30 days; 77 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 17, 2018
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 130 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, September 14, 2017; 79 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,322 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912UL (piston); 130 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Cokeville WY at 1:00 pm
- Destination: Cokeville WY
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 9,500 ft; clear
- Temperature: 32°F (0°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 1:15 pm from AFO, 40 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 June 21, 2018. 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 | Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector | 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.