Amateur-built III accident near Lubbock, Texas, March 23, 2022
On March 23, 2022 at about 3:46 pm local time, a amateur-built III (gyroplane), registered N430HS, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Lubbock, Texas (Lubbock Executive Airpark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the gyrocopter during takeoff with strong gusty winds.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 23, 2022 · about 3:46 pm local time
- Place
- Lubbock, Texas · Lubbock Executive Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built III
- Registration
- N430HS · registry record · serial S03-0003
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after takeoff the pilot “felt a force straight down.” The gyroplane impacted the terrain hard, rolled over, and came to rest on its side adjacent to the runway. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and stabilizers. Reported winds about the time accident included wind gusts and a peak wind of 30 knots. A postaccident examination of the gyroplane revealed no evidence of 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
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Other weather encounter during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 1,041 hours in all; 33 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 836 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 69 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, March 21, 2022
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Subaru EJ-25 (piston); 69 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 3,500 ft by 70 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 19 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 am from KLBB, 11 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KLBB 231553Z 32019G30KT 10SM FEW060 FEW100 FEW150 SCT200 10/M07 A3011 RMK AO2 PK WND 32030/1549 SLP186 VIRGA DSNT NE T01001067
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on April 19, 2022. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Lubbock Airport (Lbb) METAR | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Accident Photo | 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.