HOMEMADE HELICOPTER CRASHES, KILLS MAN AND 9 YEAR OLD BOY

http://www.nbc5i.com/news/14945672/d...s=dfw&psp=news

TARRANT COUNTY, Texas -- Two people died after a homebuilt gyrocopter
crashed in southwest Tarrant County late Saturday morning.

The gyrocopter, a homebuilt rotary-blade aircraft, crashed on ranch land
owned by billionaire Ed Bass just south of Benbrook Lake near FM 1187
and FM 2331, authorities said.

It took off from Spinx Airport and crashed just after 11:30 a.m.

The owner of the gyrocopter, 52-year-old Daniel Dase of Fort Worth, and
a family friend, 9-year-old Caleb Hays from St. Louis, Mo., died in the
crash.

No one on the ground was injured.

Witnesses said they heard popping noises overhead before the impact.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Cal Cleveland said
investigators do not know what caused the crash. The agency is gathering
information and conducting an investigation, he said.

"We'll be contacting people who may be related to this flight and asking
questions, so we don't have enough information to make a determination
at this point," Cleveland said.

Family members said Dase was an experienced pilot.

Because the crash involved a homebuilt aircraft, the FAA is
investigating the incident.

--
Rob Cypher
robcypher.livejournal.com
RESISTANCE IS FUTILE - YOU WILL BE ASSIMILATED