NTSB CEN22LA150 — 2022-03-23 · Lubbock, Texas, United States

Current FAA registration · N430HS

Make / Model: GROEN BROTHERS AVIATION USA SPARROWHAWK III
Engine: SUBARU ALL MDLS A/B (400 hp)
Seats / Engines: 2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 20110623
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S A523DE

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N430HS Sparrow Hawk III None

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the gyrocopter during takeoff with strong gusty winds.

Factual narrative

Shortly after takeoff the pilot “felt a force straight down.” The gyroplane impacted the terrain hard, rolled over, and came to rest on its side adjacent to the runway. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and stabilizers. Reported winds about the time accident included wind gusts and a peak wind of 30 knots. A postaccident examination of the gyroplane revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

— Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not attained/maintained
— Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot
— Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
— Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2022_CEN22LA150.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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