Autogyro Calidus accident near Stevensville, Maryland, May 4, 2017
On May 4, 2017 at about 7:15 pm local time, a 2017 Autogyro Calidus (gyroplane), registered N991TC, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Stevensville, Maryland (Bay Bridge Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper takeoff procedure, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 4, 2017 · about 7:15 pm local time
- Place
- Stevensville, Maryland · Bay Bridge Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Autogyro Calidus, built 2017
- Registration
- N991TC · registry record · serial US-C00483
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the gyrocopter reported that, during the takeoff roll, the rotor rpm was not increasing. He continued the takeoff and kept the gyrocopter on the ground to gain airspeed by not moving the stick to the full-aft position. He added that this was an "old existing airplane habit." Subsequently, during the takeoff, the gyrocopter developed a "rotor flap," and he lost directional control. The gyrocopter came to rest on its side to the left of the runway. The pilot added that not having the stick full aft prevented the rotor rpm from increasing and that the appropriate corrective action would have been to apply full-aft stick. The gyrocopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and rotors. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gyrocopter that would have precluded normal operation. The gyrocopter's Flight Manual stated that, during the takeoff roll, the pilot must "bring the control stick fully aft."
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 defining event
- Roll over during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of policy/procedure › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Rotorcraft flight control › Main rotor control › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 3,435 hours in all; 12 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 3,279 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 12, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 17.8 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, March 24, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 1,102 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 914UL (piston); 18 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: W29 Stevensville MD at 7:15 pm
- Destination: W29 Stevensville MD
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 11, 2,713 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 14 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 7:20 pm from KW29, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on June 26, 2017. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Gyrocopter Manual | PDF, 2 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.