Amateur-built BP GYRO accident near Bunnell, Florida, April 24, 1994
On April 24, 1994 at about 2:30 pm local time, a amateur-built BP GYRO (gyroplane), registered N54WP, was substantially damaged in an accident near Bunnell, Florida (Bunnell Flagler County airport). It was an instructional 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-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS DURING LANDING FLARE TOUCHDOWN, RESULTING IN THE GYROPLANE TOUCHING DOWN ON THE NOSE GEAR, AND SUBSEQUENT NOSE OVER. THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS ALSO A CAUSE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 24, 1994 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Bunnell, Florida · Bunnell Flagler County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built BP GYRO
- Registration
- N54WP · no longer on the register · serial 128
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot/certified flight instructor and student pilot were on initial takeoff climb at about 150 to 200 feet agl on a crosswind turn when the gryoplane experienced a total loss of engine power. A forced landing was initiated and the gyroplane touched down on the nose gear, nosed over and came to rest on its right side. Examination of the gyroplane by the FAA and the pilot-in-command revealed the alternator drive belt failed for undetermined reasons, and severed the ignition wires.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 650 hours in all; 220 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Unknown (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,200 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 15, 1993; 40 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Mazda 12A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 6, 4,755 ft by 200 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 2,700 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 2:51 pm from DAB, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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 N54WP 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.