Air & Space 18A accident near South Shore, South Dakota, May 19, 2003
On May 19, 2003 at about 6:30 am local time, a Air & Space 18A (gyroplane), registered N6155S, was destroyed in an accident near South Shore, South Dakota. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. The pilot's lack of experience, the rain, the dark night, the low ceiling, and the rising terrain were contributing factors to the accident.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 19, 2003 · about 6:30 am local time
- Place
- South Shore, South Dakota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Air & Space 18A
- Registration
- N6155S · no longer on the register · serial 18-66
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The gyroplane was destroyed when it impacted the terrain near the top of a hill while on a night cross-country flight. The pilot held a student pilot certificate issued three months prior to the accident. No records were recovered that indicated that the pilot had completed the knowledge or practical tests for further certificates or ratings. No pilot flight records were recovered during the investigation. The aircraft wreckage was found on a direct line between the last departure point and the intended destination. An employee of a fixed base operator at the last departure point stated that the pilot asked if there was a place where he could check the weather. The employee stated that he believed that the weather was of concern to the pilot. He stated that the pilot told him that he had a difficult time finding the last departure point. Marginal night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. A weather reporting station located about 16 statute miles southwest of the accident site recorded 5 statute miles visibility, a broken ceiling at 2,200 feet above ground level and light rain and mist. The temperature-dewpoint spread was recorded as 1 degree Celsius. A postaccident examination was conducted, however control system continuity or structural integrity could not be determined because of the extensive impact and fire damage. A "Final Forensic Toxicology Fatal Accident Report" revealed the presence of FLUOXETINE and NORFLUOXETINE. Fluoxetine is a prescription antidepressant also indicated for the use of obsessive-compulsive disorder and bulimia nervosa (an eating disorder) and often known by the trade name Prozac. Norfluoxetine is a metabolite of fluoxetine. The student pilot held a Statement of Demonstrated Ability for monocularity (he had functional vision in only one eye) due to a congenital cataract. He did not note the use of fluoxetine or any other antidepressant on his application for airman medical and student pilot certificate, nor did he indicate on that application any diagnoses for which fluoxetine is indicated.
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
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1D (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: FSD Sioux Falls SD at 12:30 pm
- Destination: ATY Waterton SD
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 6:37 am from ATY, 16 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.
Other NTSB records under N6155S the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.