Amateur-built GYROPLANE accident near Iredell, Texas, November 22, 2022
On November 22, 2022 at about 4:45 pm local time, a 2004 amateur-built GYROPLANE, registered N44088, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Iredell, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line during low-level maneuvering.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 22, 2022 · about 4:45 pm local time
- Place
- Iredell, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built GYROPLANE, built 2004
- Registration
- N44088 · no longer on the register · serial DAS 2
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The uncertificated pilot departed from a grass field and flew the gyroplane at low altitude over a pipeline right-of-way. The gyroplane struck a power line that the pilot did not see and impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the rotor. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation, and that he should not have flown at low altitude without an observation pass of the area.
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
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Unnecessary action › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Effect on operation
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Flight time: 60 hours in all; 30 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 1,250 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Subaru (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PRIV Iredell TX at 4:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,400 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observation at 4:15 pm from KSEP, 10 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KSEP 222215Z AUTO 18004KT 10SM BKN024 14/07 A3025 RMK AO2 T01430070
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on January 6, 2023. 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 | Photo of Gyroplane at Accident Site | 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.