A pilot died when the gyrocopter he was flying crashed in Polk County on Monday afternoon, officials said.

The aircraft landed in a cotton field between Collard Valley and Wyatt roads about 1:30 p.m., Polk County police Chief Kenny Dodd told AJC.com.

RELATED: 2 men killed when small plane crashes into DeKalb townhouse

It’s not clear what led to the crash. Police are investigating the circumstances of the incident, Dodd said.

A gyrocopter is an aircraft that has spinning blades at the top and resembles a helicopter, but is pushed forward by a propeller located in the back of the vehicle.

Investigators are working to identify the pilot, who is not from the area, and notify next of kin, Dodd said. No other details were released.

RELATED: Investigation underway after pilot due to perform at air show ejects from plane  

— Please return to AJC.com for updates.

In other news: 

It's been 40 years since a crime spree began and led to the death or disappearance of dozens of Atlanta children.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Cox Enterprises CEO Alex Taylor and AJC Publisher Andrew Morse were joined by AJC editors and Atlanta business react during the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in Midtown on Friday, January 24, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

Austin Walters died from an overdose in 2021 after taking a Xanax pill laced with fentanyl, his father said. A new law named after Austin and aimed at preventing deaths from fentanyl has resulted in its first convictions in Georgia, prosecutors said. (Family photo)

Credit: Family photo