Amateur-built A1B accident near Lincoln, California, April 13, 2018
On April 13, 2018, a 1991 amateur-built A1B (gyroplane), registered N5249H, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Lincoln, California (Lincoln Rgnl/Karl Harder Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 13, 2018
- Place
- Lincoln, California · Lincoln Rgnl/Karl Harder Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built A1B NO SERIES, built 1991
- Registration
- N5249H · registry record · serial 1735
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that this was his first flight in the accident gyroplane. He added that, during takeoff from runway 15, which was 6,001 ft long by 100 ft wide, he centered the gyroplane on the runway and increased engine rpm and rotor speed. Around 120 rotor rpm during the takeoff roll, he pulled back on the cyclic. Due to his injuries sustained in the accident, he does not recall what occurred afterward. The gyroplane came to rest on its right side on the right side of the runway and sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 260° at 7 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 15 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 330° at 5 knots. The gyrocopter was departing runway 15.
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 Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Total experience w/ equipment › Pilot
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Tailwind › Effect on operation
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 76 hours in all; 13 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 60 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 7, 2018
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 51 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 10, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 750 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 532 (piston); 53 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LHM Lincoln CA
- Destination: LHM Lincoln CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15, 6,001 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observation at 11:55 pm from KLHM
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number GAA18CA213.