Amateur-built M24 accident near Mineral Point, Missouri, July 11, 2023
On July 11, 2023 at about 10:50 pm local time, a 2018 amateur-built M24 (gyroplane), registered N123PS, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Mineral Point, Missouri (Washington County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
Preview. This page is not yet listed for search engines.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The inflight loss of the engine’s air filter which collided with the propeller which resulted in a vibration.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 11, 2023 · about 10:50 pm local time
- Place
- Mineral Point, Missouri · Washington County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built M24, built 2018
- Registration
- N123PS · registry record · serial 24181214
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While on the downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern, the pilot heard a noise from the engine or the rotor and felt the gyroplane momentarily “shudder.” The pilot performed a precautionary landing and the gyroplane touched down hard, bounced, and rolled on its right side. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the main rotor and fuselage. A postaccident examination of the gyroplane revealed that the air filter, which is mounted to the engine, was not located at the accident site. It is likely that the air filter separated from the gyroplane which resulted in the shudder felt by the pilot. An examination of the gyroplane and engine revealed no other anomalies that would have precluded normal operations.
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
- Part(s) separation from AC during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Inadequate inspection
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine sea; rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 767 hours in all; 16 in this make and model; 102 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 716 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 11, 2023
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 393.2 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 5, 2023; 40 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,212 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 914UL (piston); 433 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 5:56 pm from KFAM, 17 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KFAM 112256Z AUTO 17005KT 10SM CLR 32/15 A2995 RMK AO2 SLP140 T03220150
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN23LA296.