Pilot injured after autogyro crashes at Cashmere Airport

CASHMERE — A 69-year-old Leavenworth man was injured Thursday morning after the autogyro he was piloting veered off the runway and crashed into a hangar at Cashmere-Dryden Airport, which is situated just northwest of Cashmere High School.

The crash occurred at about 10:30 a.m. July 16, according to the Chelan County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Sgt. Jason Reinfeld said RiverCom received the report shortly after the incident. A previous version of the sheriff's office news release incorrectly listed the incident date as July 15; officials later clarified the crash occurred July 16.

An illustration identifying the major components of a typical autogyro, or gyroplane. The aircraft involved in the July 16 crash at Cashmere-Dryden Airport may differ in design and configuration from the example shown here. (ILLUSTRATION/CREATED WITH AI)

The aircraft was still on the ground when it left the runway and struck a hangar on the airport grounds. The pilot, who was the aircraft's only occupant, sustained injuries in the collision and was transported to Confluence Health Hospital in Wenatchee for treatment. Authorities have not released information about the extent of his injuries.

The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the cause of the crash.

The incident marks the second aircraft accident at or immediately adjacent to the Cashmere-Dryden Airport in nearly a year. In July 2025, a small airplane crashed into a home near the end of the airport's runway, injuring the pilot and passenger while the home's occupants escaped without injury. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board investigated that crash as well.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media