BORDERLAND

Monroe man, 69, killed in gyrocopter crash

7/12/2014
BLADE STAFF

PETERSBURG, Mich. — A Monroe man was killed in a gyrocopter crash Thursday in a Summerfield Township field.

Monroe County Sheriff’s office reported that Kenneth G. West, 69, took off in a gyrocopter from the Lada Airport in Summerfield Township early Thursday afternoon. The airport’‍s owner noticed Mr. West’s vehicle was still in the airport parking lot Friday morning, prompting a police search, the sheriff’‍s office said.

Authorities found the crash scene about a quarter-mile east of the airport about 2 p.m. Friday. Mr. West was pronounced dead at the scene, the sheriff’s office said.

A gyrocopter is a small rotary wing aircraft that gets lift from rotor blades and thrust from an engine-driven propeller.