Amateur-built AUTOGYRO GMBH CAVALO accident near Fort Worth, Texas, May 27, 2017
On May 27, 2017 at about 6:00 pm local time, a 2016 amateur-built AUTOGYRO GMBH CAVALO (gyroplane), registered N721E, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Fort Worth, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 27, 2017 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Fort Worth, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AUTOGYRO GMBH CAVALO NO SERIES, built 2016
- Registration
- N721E · no longer on the register · serial V00255
- 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, after flying over his passenger's house to take pictures, he headed back to the airport. He added that, while in level flight, he noticed that "the trees on the ground under [him were] rapidly getting closer." He initially presumed something was wrong with the engine, so he reduced throttle and then successfully applied full throttle in an attempt to troubleshoot the situation. He made a left 180° turn, and the gyrocopter struck trees and impacted terrain. The gyrocopter sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gyrocopter that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he had presumed the terrain he was flying over was flat but later realized he had flown into rising terrain.
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
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during enroute defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › (general) › Awareness of condition
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › (general) › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private, sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 978 hours in all; 78 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 978 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 12, 2016
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 94 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, April 19, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 1,102 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 914 (piston); 94 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 87TX Blum TX at 5:00 pm
- Destination: 50F Fort Worth TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 15 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,700 ft
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observation at 5:52 pm from KNFW, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 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 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot's Additional Remarks | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | 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.