NTSB Factual Report

According to the pilot of the gyrocopter, he was practicing aborted takeoffs with 180-degree turns to a simulated runway in a field that had power lines in the vicinity of the practice area. He successfully completed one simulated aborted takeoff and turned back toward the simulated runway. During the second practice maneuver, he took off to the north, and began the 180-degree turn to the south. The pilot stated the sun obscured his vision for several seconds, the gyrocopter struck a powerline, and he pushed the cyclic forward in order to land in the field. Then, the gyrocopter impacted the ground hard, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyrocopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

Impact with power lines due to the pilot’s obscured vision due to the low angle of the sun, which prevented the pilot from seeing the lines.