Small Aircraft Crashes Just Outside Knoxville Airport

Two people walked away after the gyrocopter they were in crashed near the Knoxville airport on Monday afternoon. (photo by Monte Goodyk)

Knoxville, Iowa – A sunny afternoon almost turned tragic when a gyrocopter with 2 individuals on board crashed just outside the Knoxville, Iowa airport on Monday afternoon.

Jeff Jorgenson was a passenger on the aircraft, and he gave his friend Monte Goodyk a short interview before taking off.

Excitement could be heard in his voice before lifting off. After crashing near a ditch just outside of the airport, Jorgenson can be heard telling first responders: “We were flying, then we weren’t.”

The Xenon 4 rotorcraft is registered to a Dwight Loomis of Carlisle, Iowa. The small aircraft is registered as ‘experimental’ and was amature built.

A power line was snapped which caused a small grass fire near the scene.

Both the pilot and Jorgenson were able to exit the craft, and were walking around, after the crash.