Magni Builder LLC M-16 accident near Foley, Alabama, December 9, 2024
On December 9, 2024 at about 1:32 pm local time, a 2020 Magni Builder LLC M-16 (gyroplane), an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N271BP, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Foley, Alabama (Foley Municipal Airport). 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 sport pilot’s failure to maintain control of the gyroplane during initial climb, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 9, 2024 · about 1:32 pm local time
- Place
- Foley, Alabama · Foley Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Magni Builder LLC M-16 C Trainer, built 2020, amateur-built
- Registration
- N271BP · registry record · serial 16202675
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The sport pilot obtained his pilot certificate about 4 months prior to the accident and had accrued a total flight experience of 61 hours; of which, 55 hours were in the accident gyroplane. According to witnesses and airport video, during takeoff and initial climb, the engine was at full power throughout the accident flight, and the sound of the engine was smooth and continuous until ground contact. After rotation and liftoff, the gyroplane oscillated slightly but then the oscillations ceased. The nose of the gyroplane subsequently pitched up too far and full left rudder input was applied until the nose of the gyroplane was oriented 90° to the direction of flight. A right cyclic input followed, which unloaded the rotor system and induced a buntover event. The gyroplane turned and rolled right, through inverted, before it impacted the runway in a nose-low, upright position. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
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 in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 61 hours in all; 55 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 19 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 12, 2024
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 350.7 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, October 2, 2024; 19 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,102 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 IS (piston); 369 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Southern Gyro LLC
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 3,700 ft by 74 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 1:55 pm from JKA, 8 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KJKA 091955Z 18005KT 10SM BKN050 BKN065 23/22 A2996
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 4 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Accident Scene
Photograph 2 – Main Wreckage
Photograph 3 – Engine And Propeller
Photograph 4 – Propeller Gouges on RunwayThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on August 19, 2026. 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 | Memoranda for the Record | PDF, 6 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statement | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot Logbook Excerpts | PDF, 9 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Logbook Excerpts | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 5 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 5 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 6 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 7 | Airport Video Excerpt (18 Seconds, 6MB, MP4) | video · our copy | View Download |
| 8 | Memorandum for the Record - Wreckage Release | PDF, 1 page · 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.