Amateur-built M-24 PLUS accident near Nashua, New Hampshire, January 15, 2020
On January 15, 2020 at about 7:50 pm local time, a 2019 amateur-built M-24 PLUS (gyroplane), registered N327JD, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Nashua, New Hampshire (Boire Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's incapacitation during the takeoff roll due to a stroke.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 15, 2020 · about 7:50 pm local time
- Place
- Nashua, New Hampshire · Boire Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built M-24 PLUS, built 2019
- Registration
- N327JD · no longer on the register · serial 24192176
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to a witness, the gyroplane used more runway than typical to become airborne before it began to drift toward the left edge of the runway. About halfway down the runway, the gyroplane departed the runway, bounced over a taxiway, porpoised, and came to rest inverted. The witness stated that he saw no indication that the pilot had attempted to slow down or correct the left deviation from centerline. After the accident, a medical evaluation identified that the pilot had experienced a cerebral infarction (stroke). Symptoms often develop suddenly and can include numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg; confusion; difficulty speaking; trouble seeing; severe headache; and loss of coordination. It is likely that the pilot was incapacitated by the stroke during the takeoff roll.
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 on ground during takeoff
- Medical event during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Neurological › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 150 hours in all; 9 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 39 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 7, 2019
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1.6 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, November 16, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 1,210 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 915iS3A (piston); 10 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ASH Nashua NH at 7:50 pm
- Destination: ASH Nashua NH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 32, 6,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 7:54 pm from ASH
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on March 16, 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 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Witness Statements | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photo Array | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 5 | NTSB Medical Factual Report | PDF, 4 pages | 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.