Man Dies After Gyrocopter Crashes In Lansing

LANSING, Ill. (STMW) -- A man is dead after his gyrocopter crashed Monday morning at an airport in south suburban Lansing, Illinois State Police said.

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 Dept. Lt. Pete Chmura said.

"It hit hard," Chmura said.

The pilot died after being taken in critical condition to Munster Community Hospital in Munster, Ind., according to state police.

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.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2012. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)