Amateur-built SparrowHawk accident near Ona, Florida, March 31, 2006
On March 31, 2006 at about 2:20 pm local time, a amateur-built SparrowHawk (gyroplane), registered N41964, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ona, Florida. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The in-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons during a normal descent, resulting in an uncontrolled descent, and in-flight collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 31, 2006 · about 2:20 pm local time
- Place
- Ona, Florida
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SparrowHawk
- Registration
- N41964 · no longer on the register · serial H20030008K
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a pleasure flight while flying between 1,000 and 1,100 feet MSL a witness reported initially seeing a normal rate of descent. The descent rate became progressively steeper to the point it became "unsafe diving." The witness did not see any smoke trailing the gyrocopter, nor did he see any parts separate from the gyrocopter in-flight. The nose of the gyrocopter then tucked down, and the descent became vertical. The gyrocopter impacted into open terrain, and was destroyed by impact and a post crash fire. Postaccident examination of the flight controls of the gyrocopter revealed the aft pitch stop bolt was extended approximately 1/2 inch greater than the typical installation. The as-found position of the aft pitch stop bolt would result in only approximately 6 degrees positive main rotor tilt, while the correct setting would result in approximately 18 degree positive main rotor tilt. Fire and impact damage destroyed the cabin and primary structure, and also the engine assembly; therefore, no determination could be made as to whether there was any pre-impact failure or malfunction of the engine, engine accessories, or flight controls.
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: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 1,575 hours in all; 175 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 175 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, February 1, 2006
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Subaru EJ22 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: KCHN Wauchula FL at 2:10 pm
- Destination: KVNC Venice FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from SRQ
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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 N41964 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.