Amateur-built 162F and amateur-built 10 mid-air collision near Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 29, 2023
On July 29, 2023 at about 5:27 pm local time, 2 aircraft, amateur-built 162F (N193AZ) and amateur-built 10 (N221EL), were involved in a mid-air collision near Oshkosh, Wisconsin (Wittman Rgnl airport). 2 people were killed and 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the gyroplane pilot to see and avoid the helicopter while maneuvering in the traffic pattern. Contributing to the accident was the gyroplane pilot’s performance of a prohibited maneuver in the traffic pattern.
The failure of the gyroplane pilot to see and avoid the helicopter while maneuvering in the traffic pattern. Contributing to the accident was the gyroplane pilot’s performance of a prohibited maneuver in the traffic pattern.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 29, 2023 · about 5:27 pm local time
- Place
- Oshkosh, Wisconsin · Wittman Rgnl · map
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed and 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Amateur-built 162F, built 2012
- Registration
- N193AZ · no longer on the register · serial 6538
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Amateur-built 10
- Registration
- N221EL · registry record · serial 04175281014
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the amateur-built 162F final · quoted from the NTSB record
A gyroplane and helicopter collided midair while maneuvering for landing in day visual meteorological conditions. The aircraft were participating in a fly-in event that provided daily pilot briefings on flight operations and procedures. During the briefings, event coordinators informed pilots that 360° turns in the traffic pattern were prohibited. Flight track information, witness statements, videos, and damage to the aircraft indicated that the gyroplane impacted the left side of the helicopter while performing a prohibited 360° turn on the base leg of the visual approach. The helicopter impacted terrain, came to rest inverted, and a postaccident fire ensued. The gyroplane impacted an unoccupied airplane. The gyroplane pilot had no recollection of the accident flight. Postaccident examinations of both aircraft revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the failure of the gyroplane pilot to see and avoid the helicopter while performing a prohibited maneuver in the traffic pattern, resulting in a collision with the helicopter.
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 NTSB's narrative for the amateur-built 10 final · quoted from the NTSB record
A gyroplane and helicopter collided midair while maneuvering for landing in day visual meteorological conditions. The aircraft were participating in a fly-in event that provided daily pilot briefings on flight operations and procedures. During the briefings, event coordinators informed pilots that 360° turns in the traffic pattern were prohibited. Flight track information, witness statements, videos, and damage to the aircraft indicated that the gyroplane impacted the left side of the helicopter while performing a prohibited 360° turn on the base leg of the visual approach. The helicopter impacted terrain, came to rest inverted, and a postaccident fire ensued. The gyroplane impacted an unoccupied airplane. The gyroplane pilot had no recollection of the accident flight. Postaccident examinations of both aircraft revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the failure of the gyroplane pilot to see and avoid the helicopter while performing a prohibited maneuver in the traffic pattern, resulting in a collision with the helicopter.
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 for the amateur-built 162F from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during approach defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Physical › Sensory ability/limitation › Visual function › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 8,000 hours in all; 7,900 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days; 25 in the last 30 days; 7,750 as pilot in command; 3,500 on instruments
- Last flight review: February 23, 2022
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 122 hours in all
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 159.6 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 1, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotorway RI 162F (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.08 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 am from KOSH, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KOSH 291553Z 01007KT 10SM CLR 24/14 A3008 RMK AO2 SLP176 T02390144
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
The factual record for the amateur-built 10 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during maneuvering
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Knowledge › Knowledge of procedures › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 600 hours in all; 500 in this make and model
- Last flight review: June 17, 2023
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 218 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, November 9, 2022
- Maximum gross weight: 1,168 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 914UL (piston); 218 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
23 documents, released by the NTSB on May 16, 2024. 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 | Global Positioning Devices - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 14 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 2 | Attachment 1 to Global Positioning Devices - Specialist's Factual Report | data file · our copy | Download |
| 3 | Attachment 2 to Global Positioning Devices - Specialist's Factual Report | data file · our copy | Download |
| 4 | Attachment 3 to Global Positioning Devices - Specialist's Factual Report | data file · our copy | Download |
| 5 | Attachment 4 to Global Positioning Devices - Specialist's Factual Report | data file · our copy | Download |
| 6 | Attachment 5 to Global Positioning Devices - Specialist's Factual Report | data file · our copy | Download |
| 7 | Attachment 6 to Global Positioning Devices - Specialist's Factual Report | data file · our copy | Download |
| 8 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Gyroplane Pilot | PDF, 11 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 9 | Witness Statements | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 10 | Record of Conversation - Gyroplane Pilot | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 11 | Record of Conversation - Gyroplane Passenger | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 12 | ADS-B Data - Helicopter | data file · our copy | Download |
| 13 | ADS-B Data - Gyroplane | data file · our copy | Download |
| 14 | Flight Track Overlay | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 15 | FAA Interview Summary - Ffz Volunteer | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 16 | Aircraft Examination Summary | PDF, 5 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 17 | County Sheriff Wreckage Diagram | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 18 | Ffz Daily Sign-in Sheets | PDF, 9 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 19 | Ffz Rotorcraft Briefing Handout | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 20 | Toxicological Report - Helicopter Pilot | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 21 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 6 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 22 | Eaa Ffz Changes | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 23 | Onboard Image Recorder - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 11 pages · our copy | View Download |
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.