| Crash location | 42.297222°N, 89.138055°W |
| Nearest city | Rockford, IL
42.248354°N, 89.074272°W 4.7 miles away |
| Tail number | N815SL |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 12 Sep 2010 |
| Aircraft type | Lewis Brandon Scott Exterminator |
| Additional details: | None |
The pilot of the gyrocopter was practicing takeoffs and landings when the accident occurred. He stated that he made 12 takeoffs, lifting off to a height 5 to 10 feet above the runway then touching back down prior to the accident flight. The pilot stated that on the last takeoff, the gyrocopter turned sideways and the momentum of the rotor blades resulted in the gyrocopter rolling onto its side. This resulted in substantial damage to the main rotor blades and left horizontal stabilizer when they contacted the ground. The pilot reported there were no mechanical problems with the gyrocopter.
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the gyrocopter while practicing takeoffs and landings.