Amateur-built AIR COMMANDER 532 accident near Magnolia, Arkansas, September 18, 1996
On September 18, 1996 at about 12:30 pm local time, a amateur-built AIR COMMANDER 532 (gyroplane), registered N7136C, was substantially damaged in an accident near Magnolia, Arkansas. 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 loss of engine power due to the loss of coolant, as a result of a leak in the radiator. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 18, 1996 · about 12:30 pm local time
- Place
- Magnolia, Arkansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AIR COMMANDER 532 AIR COMMAN
- Registration
- N7136C · no longer on the register · serial 9279712
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the student pilot, the gyroplane's engine began to lose coolant. While attempting to return to his departure point, the engine lost power. The pilot made a forced landing to a heavily wooded area, and the gyroplane came to rest on its right side. FAA records revealed that the student pilot, who built the gyroplane, was issued a registration certificate for the aircraft on 5/24/90. His last medical certificate was issued on 7/12/90, at which time he was issued a student pilot certificate.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Ratings: rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 191 hours in all; 169 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 169 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (expired)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 169 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 24, 1996; 16 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 475 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax ROTAX 532 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE at 12:20 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.
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.