Pilot dies after gyrocopter crashes in Lansing
September 10, 2012 12:43PM
Maps
Updated: September 10, 2012 9:35PM
A Gary man is dead after his gyrocopter crashed Monday morning at an airport in Lansing, Illinois State Police said.
Edward Wiggins, 66, was pronounced dead shortly after noon at The Community Hospital in Munster, Ind.
The crash occurred at 11:30 a.m. at the Lansing Municipal Airport in the 3300 block of Glenwood-Lansing Road, according to an ISP trooper.
A gyrocopter took off from the runway and crashed at the airport, Lansing Fire Department Lt. Pete Chmura said.
“It hit hard,” Chmura said.
A second gyrocopter was following the first on the runway for takeoff and called emergency officials about the crash, Chmura said.
Both were members of a gyrocopter club that operates at the airport, Chmura said. A gyrocopter or autogyro is a small craft that uses a rotor similar to a helicopter for lift, in conjunction with a propeller used for thrust.
