Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

October 20, 2003 · Harris BRC 540C · N540CX

Leesburg, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 20, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Leesburg, VA
Aircraft
Harris BRC 540C
Tail Number
N540CX
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC04LA015

The owner was neither rated nor current to fly the gyrocopter. The pilot was seated in the right seat, and the owner was seated in the left seat. The owner flew a left hand traffic pattern for the runway, and the pilot took control of the gyrocopter for touchdown. However, during the transition of control, the pilot's feet entangled in the rudder pedals. After touchdown, the gyrocopter began to drift right. The pilot attempted to correct the drift by depressing the left rudder pedal. However, the pilot accidentally depressed the owner's right rudder pedal, rather than his own left rudder pedal.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot in command's failure to maintain directional control and his inadvertent activation of the right rudder pedal.

Full Narrative

On October 20, 2003, about 1430 eastern daylight time, an amateur built BRC 540C gyrocopter, N540CX, was substantially damaged while landing at Leesburg Executive Airport (JYO), Leesburg, Virginia. The certificated commercial pilot and pilot rated passenger/owner were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that the owner was neither rated nor current to fly the gyrocopter. The pilot was seated in the right seat, and the owner was seated in the left seat. The rotor blades had recently been re-balanced, and the pilot and owner were conducting local test flights in the airport traffic pattern. The owner flew a left hand traffic pattern for runway 17 at JYO, and the pilot took control of the gyrocopter to make a full stop landing. During the next circuit, the owner flew another left hand pattern for runway 17, and the pilot took control of the gyrocopter for touchdown. Shortly after touchdown, the gyrocopter yawed right, rolled left, and came to rest on its left side about 10 feet from the right edge of the runway. The rotor system and left fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot further stated that it was possible his feet became entangled in the rudder pedals. The owner stated that after touchdown, the gyrocopter began to drift right. The pilot attempted to correct the drift by depressing the left rudder pedal. However, the pilot accidentally depressed the owner's right rudder pedal, rather than his own left rudder pedal. The reported wind at JYO, at 1424, was from 210 degrees at 4 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 EDT
Nearest AirportLeesburg Executive Airport (0nm)
Runway17
Runway Length5500 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHarris BRC 540C
Tail NumberN540CX
Aircraft CategoryGyro
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsSubaru · EJ 25 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 54 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 47 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 50
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time18:24
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data