Trendak TAURUS N553AT

Summary

On 11 March 2023 at about 18:30 local time, a Trendak TAURUS registered N553AT was involved in an accident near Strawberry Reservoir, Utah, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 March 2023 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Strawberry Reservoir, Utah, United States

Coordinates

40.1700, -111.1300

Aircraft

Trendak TAURUS

Registration

N553AT

Category

Gyrocraft

Year built

2017

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Provo → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR23LA126

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the snow-covered lake while flying at a low altitude.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, while flying low over a snow-covered frozen lake, the gyrocopter was closer to the surface than he realized. The pilot increased engine power to attempt to climb away from the surface, however, the nosewheel impacted snow on the surface and the gyrocopter nosed over, rolled, and came to rest on its side. The fuselage, horizontal stabilizer, and rudders were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyrocopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.