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Location:
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Saint Peter, MN
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Accident Number:
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CEN24LA006
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Date & Time:
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October 8, 2023, 16:40 Local
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Registration:
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N557LJ
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Aircraft:
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GYRO TECHNIC GT-VX2
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Injuries:
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1 Fatal
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Flight Conducted Under:
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Part 91: General aviation - Personal
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On October 8, 2023, about 1640 central daylight time, an experimental Gyro Technic GT-VX2 gyroplane, N557LJ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Saint Peter, Minnesota. The pilot was fatally injured. The gyroplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The pilot departed from Mankato Regional Airport (MKT), Mankato, Minnesota, about 1400 as a flight of two gyroplanes. After the departure from MKT, the two gyroplanes continued to Le Sueur Municipal Airport (12Y), Le Sueur, Minnesota, and completed multiple landings in the traffic pattern. The second pilot reported that after leaving 12Y, the two gyroplanes followed a river valley at low level. As the flight of two approached a bridge, the second pilot climbed his gyroplane, and the accident pilot remained at a lower altitude after passing over the bridge.
The second pilot noticed “flashing” below him and observed the accident gyroplane splash into the river.
A witness reported observing the accident gyroplane fly directly into powerlines, flip upside down, and fall inverted into the river.
The gyroplane wreckage was recovered to a secure facility for future examination.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
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Aircraft Make:
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GYRO TECHNIC
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Registration:
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N557LJ
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Model/Series:
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GT-VX2
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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Amateur Built:
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Yes
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Operator:
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On file
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Operating Certificate(s) Held:
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None
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Operator Designator Code:
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Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
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Conditions at Accident Site:
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VMC
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Condition of Light:
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Day
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Observation Facility, Elevation:
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KMKT,1021 ft msl
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Observation Time:
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16:56 Local
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Distance from Accident Site:
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6 Nautical Miles
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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14°C /2°C
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Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction:
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9 knots / , 30°
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Lowest Ceiling:
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Overcast / 8000 ft AGL
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Visibility:
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10 miles
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Altimeter Setting:
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29.93 inches Hg
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Departure Point:
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Le Sueur, MN (12Y)
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Destination:
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Mankato, MN (MKT)
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Wreckage and Impact Information
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Crew Injuries:
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1 Fatal
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Passenger Injuries:
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N/A
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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Ground Injuries:
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N/A
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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Total Injuries:
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1 Fatal
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Latitude, Longitude:
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44.32156,-93.95059 (est)
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Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Rutt, Brian
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Additional Participating Persons:
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Gregory Thurston; FAA; Minneapolis, MN
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Investigation Class:
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Class 3
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Note:
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The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.
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