Snobird Charger accident near Toledo, Washington, April 11, 2008
On April 11, 2008 at about 7:00 pm local time, a Snobird Charger (gyroplane), registered UNREG, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Toledo, Washington (Ed Carlson Memorial Field). 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 pilot's improper use of the flight controls during takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 11, 2008 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Toledo, Washington · Ed Carlson Memorial Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Snobird Charger
- Registration
- UNREG · no longer on the register · serial None
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Immediately after takeoff the single seat gyroplane tilted forward and impacted the runway. The pilot reported to a National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he did not recall the accident. His only memory was taxiing the gyroplane in preparation for departure. A witness, who was about 1/2 mile away, observed the gyroplane through binoculars. He watched the gyroplane taxi down the runway and observed the main rotor come up to speed. The pilot performed what he thought was a normal takeoff roll, but then the gyroplane popped up into the air quicker than normal. In reaction, the pilot appeared to overcorrect, overrotating the gyroplane forward, and impacting the runway. An FAA inspector examined the gyroplane after the accident and did not find any evidence of preimpact mechanical anomalies or failures.
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
- Abrupt maneuver during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
Pilot
- Flight time: 222 hours in all; 128 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 128 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Hirth 2706 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KTDO Toledo WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 4,480 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 12,000 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.44 inHg
- Observation at 12:10 pm from KCLs
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.
Other NTSB records under UNREG the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.