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#1
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07-24-2026, 05:26 PM
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 ✝Mudderator from Hell✝ Poster Rank:10 e-mail Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 96,423
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Sightseeing Gyrocopter Crashes Onto Two Tourists
On July 21, 2026, a sightseeing Harbin XLI (Celier Xenon) gyrocopter crashed at the Chaka Salt Lake Sky No. 1 Scenic Area in Qinghai Province, China, injuring 2 tourists on the ground. The aircraft (registration B-72HX) was operating a low-altitude scenic flight at 12:08 PM when it suddenly lost control and spiraled down near the shoreline, striking pedestrian guardrails and visitors. Investigators believe the gyrocopter flew directly into the rotor downwash (wake turbulence) generated by another gyrocopter flying nearby, causing an immediate loss of lift. The two tourists struck by the aircraft suffered head injuries and were rushed to a hospital in Chaka Town. Local authorities report that their vital signs are stable and they remain conscious. The pilot and the passengers on the gyrocopter emerged completely unharmed. The aircraft sustained substantial structure and landing gear damage. Local aviation and police authorities have impounded the aircraft as a thorough investigation into the pilot's actions and operational safety gaps continues. |
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#2
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07-25-2026, 12:12 AM
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| ♚ Legacy Gold Member ♚ Poster Rank:93 Male Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 17,082 Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Quoted: 4678 Post(s)
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Re: Sightseeing Gyrocopter Crashes Onto Two Tourists
They went from Chaka Town, to Chaka Khan, and are now completely cured.  |
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#3
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07-25-2026, 02:27 AM
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 My Rank: MAJOR Poster Rank:129 Now look what you made me do. Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 12,765 Mentioned: 42 Post(s) Quoted: 6106 Post(s)
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Re: Sightseeing Gyrocopter Crashes Onto Two Tourists
I'm not sure they're gyrocopters, they look like they have powered top rotors.
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#4
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07-25-2026, 04:04 AM
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 My Rank: FIRST SERGEANT Poster Rank:459 Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 2,433 Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Quoted: 597 Post(s)
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Re: Sightseeing Gyrocopter Crashes Onto Two Tourists
At least the tourists didn't go out like Vic Morrow.
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#5
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07-25-2026, 05:51 AM
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| ✝Mudderator from Hell✝ Poster Rank:10 e-mail Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 96,423
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Re: Sightseeing Gyrocopter Crashes Onto Two Tourists
They are, that top rotor is completely unpowered during flight as it acts like a spinning parachute, turned solely by the oncoming wind to create lift. A separate propeller in the back pushes the aircraft forward.  |
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#6
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07-25-2026, 11:05 AM
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 ★ Legacy Member ★ Poster Rank:521 Male Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2,009 Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Quoted: 246 Post(s)
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Re: Sightseeing Gyrocopter Crashes Onto Two Tourists
Those look like they should be attached to an amusement park ride, somehow. Seeing this makes me wonder why these (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focke-Achgelis_Fa_330) never caught on as an alternative to parasailing.
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#7
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07-25-2026, 05:18 PM
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 ★ Legacy Member ★ Poster Rank:110 Secret Agent Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 14,432 Mentioned: 6 Post(s) Quoted: 2996 Post(s)
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Re: Sightseeing Gyrocopter Crashes Onto Two Tourists
Those two tourists got plowed directly to the ground like they were targets worth going after.  |
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#8
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08-08-2026, 07:09 PM
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| My Rank: SERGEANT Poster Rank:1063 Male Join Date: Oct 2024 Posts: 633 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Quoted: 102 Post(s)
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Re: Sightseeing Gyrocopter Crashes Onto Two Tourists
Typical China. Picking up their noses and wondering what just happened instead of helping and trying to move the wreck.
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