On 15th December 2004 at just after 14.00hrs a Gyrocopter was taking off from the Sutton Bank gliding site when it lost height and crashed into trees below the airstrip. The emergency services were called out at 14.20hrs but sadly the pilot lost his life in the incident. The AAIB investigation reported later that a broken seat bracket could have been the cause of the accident, with control having been lost when the bracket broke.

G-BUYT was built by J.E. Harris from 1993 onwards but was first registered to John McLane & David Chaplin of Gilling East and Borrowby respectively in March 2002, though it was almost certainly based at Sutton Bank. Following the accident the registration was 'cancelled as destroyed' on 23rd February 2006.

Pilot - Mr David Gilbert Chaplin, aged 61, of Borrowby, Thirsk. Died as a result of his injuries.