Amateur-built ECLIPSE 10 accident near Yuma, Arizona, January 17, 2024
On January 17, 2024 at about 8:38 pm local time, a 2018 amateur-built ECLIPSE 10 (gyroplane), registered N70WP, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Yuma, Arizona (Yuma International Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s decision to takeoff with low rotor RPM and his subsequent loss of control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 17, 2024 · about 8:38 pm local time
- Place
- Yuma, Arizona · Yuma International Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built ECLIPSE 10, built 2018
- Registration
- N70WP · no longer on the register · serial 07175401014
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the gyroplane was preparing for takeoff, but he noticed that the brakes felt mushy and were not properly holding as he increased engine power. Consequently, when the main rotor RPM reached 150 RPM, he released the brakes and increased power. The gyroplane then rolled over onto its side. According to the Pilot’s Operating Handbook, takeoff with 150-200 main rotor RPM “requires a high skill,” and normal takeoffs are initiated when 220 main rotor RPM is attained. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation and acknowledged that he should have aborted the takeoff.
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
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › (general) › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Lateral/bank control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 17,736 hours in all; 150 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 5, 2023
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 230.6 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 19, 2023; 53.4 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,234 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 914 (piston); 2,306 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 5,710 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 20,000 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 1:32 pm from KNYL
Weather report (METAR): KNYL 172032Z VRB06KT 7SM BKN200 22/M01 A2994 RMK AO2 T02171011
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 3 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photo 1 – Wreckage Right Side (Pilot Photo)
Photo 2 – Wreckage Left Side (Pilot Photo)
Photo 3 – Tail (Pilot Photo)The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on August 8, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation - Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | POH Excerpts | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.