Breaking news Mentone gyro crash....

[GyroRon]

Just a few minutes ago a gyro lost control on a touch and go and crashed. The gyro was a aircommand single place..... as it lost control it took out a tandem dominator parked on the flightline. Both gyros are a total loss. The pilot recieved a deep cut to the neck but was reported to be non life threatening.... He got a ride to the hosiptal in the first heli to land here this week. Elsewise it is nice weather and great flying..

 

[chuter]

Glad everyone's ok (or will be)! Man, that sucks. So sorry to hear this.

 

[Dmorris]

:sorry:
I really hate to hear this. I'm glad his injuries are non life threatening. I'm looking forward to flying up from Kentucky tomorrow.

 

[IGoTooFar]

Sad, Sad, Sad......... any idea what caused the loss of control?

 

[animal]

Ron was it anyone from the Forum we know? also who's tandem did it take out?

man hate to hear about stuff like this. glad no one was killed.

was it a new Pilot? or just those cross winds?

last year the cross winds where pretty steady. how are they this year?

hope your having a fun time despite the crash.

now post some good mentone pics if ya can.

temps here today are 95. bet it is alot nicer there.

fly safe and keep us posted.

 

[Timchick]

Glad the pilot is OK. Bummer about the gyros. Did anyone get some video of it?

 

[Resasi]

Sorry to hear it, glad to hear he's OK.

Waiting to hear who and how. Always something to learn from accidents sad as they are.

 

[brian_vancouver]

here is the fox news report on the accident. nothing new really, just a confirmation that the pilot survived the initial incident,

brian





"The Kosciuscko County Sheriff's Department said at least one person was injured in a gyro copter crash at the Mentone airport Wednesday afternoon.

The sheriff's department's public information officer did not know the identity or the condition of the victim, but did say the person was airlifted to Parkview Hospital in Ft. Wayne.

County and state investigators are on the scene looking into the crash.

The small airport, which is southwest of Mentone, is hosting an annual gathering for rotorcraft enthusiasts. The event is the 47th annual Popular Rotorcraft Association Convention."

 

[GyroChuck]

Boy I really hate to hear this kind of news. I'm glad the pilot is going to be OK.

I hope that wasn't Matts Dom.

 

[dragonflyerthom]

You guessed it Chuck. His was just sitting on the flight line.

 

[GyroChuck]

You guessed it Chuck. His was just sitting on the flight line.

Wow! Matt must be devastated.

 

[fiveboy]

Interesting ethical/moral dilemma here.

 

[GrantR]

Man that really sucks:sad: Matt's Dom was nice.

 

[Timchick]

Was Matt in his gyro when it got hit? Did he get hurt at all? That sucks big time.

 

[GrantR]

No Tim according to this report.

http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/local/local_wane_kosciusko_county_gyrocopter_crash_200908052100

Gyro-copter crash in
Kosciusko Co.
Man in serious condition
Updated: Wednesday, 05 Aug 2009, 9:18 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 05 Aug 2009, 9:18 PM EDT

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) - A Missouri man is in serious but stable condition after crashing his gyro-copter Wednesday after in southern Kosciusko County.

Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to the Mentone Airport just after 3:00 after receiving a 911 call of an aircraft crash involving two gyro-copters.

Steven Vanderhoff of Jefferson City, Missouri was trying to land his Air Commander gyro-copter on the runway when a gust of air pushed it toward the grass area. Vanderhoff apparently tried to accelerate to “pull-up,” but it continued into the grass area and hit another gyro-copter that was parked and empty at the time.

Vanderhoff was airlifted from the scene and taken to a Fort Wayne hospital. He suffered a large cut to his neck from flying debris.

Kosciusko County Sheriff’s deputies contacted the Federal Aviation Association. The FAA has taken over the investigation.

Damage to Vanderhoff’s aircraft was estimated at $12,000. The parked gyro-copter, which was owned by Matthew Novotney of Crown Point, Indiana, was estimated to have $25,000 of damage. Both aircraft did have FAA-issued identification numbers.

 

[choppergabor]

Oh my. What an unfortunate mishap. I hope he get's well soon and as for Matt's Dom I hope insurance will cover his loss (although a gyro is pretty personal, and so is the loss of it ). What a shame..... Well guys just be careful up there I mean extra careful please. This is supposed to be fun.
Cheers and as always fly safe

 

[automan1223]

Flight line ?

Flight line ?

For crying out loud how close is the flight line to the runway ???

Unreal, too sad.

J

 

[jcarleto]

It is unfortunate to have a cloud over an event like that. Worse with an injury. Fortunate that nobody was killed. You just hate to see stuff end up in the gyro crash statistics.

What were the flying conditions? Was the pilot new or just unfocused? Was this purely pilot malfunction or were there other issues?

*JC*

 

[billygyro]

Man that's the Pitts ! Glade he made it out alive,

As for Matt-- I bet he is devastated. I know I would be.....
His New dom was brand new, And I bet he was just starting to have great fun flying it.

Matt, If I can do anything to help get it back into the air just ask and I will do it... I hope this guy and or you had some kind of insurance. If not I am willing to make a donation if it would help.
I also challenge others to pitch in, I know Matt would appreciate it.

 

[Timchick]

I talked to Ron Awad and Matt this evening. Matt's attitude is "it is what it is". He's taking it in stride. Supposedly the guy has personal liability insurance which should cover Matt's gyro. Machines can be replaced. Thank Heavens nobody was hurt any worse than the pilot. He said both gyros were totaled. I'm suprised we haven't seen any photos yet.