Mcculloch J-2 accident near Cortland, New York, June 23, 1985
On June 23, 1985 at about 8:15 pm local time, a Mcculloch J-2 (gyroplane), registered N4328G, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cortland, New York. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 23, 1985 · about 8:15 pm local time
- Place
- Cortland, New York · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mcculloch J-2
- Registration
- N4328G · no longer on the register · serial 038
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE ROTOR BLADE CONTACTED THE TAIL RUDDERS BECAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT ROTOR SPEED. THE ROTOR BLADESWERE THROWN OUT OF TRACK AND THE GYROPLANE LOST CONTROL. THE INSUFFICIENT ROTOR RPM WAS DUE TO A ROTOR OR PULLEY BELT STRIPPING.
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: student
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 143 hours in all; 18 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 116 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 271 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 30, 1985
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A20 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 00
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
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.