What happened
On June 22, 2014, at approximately 10:00 UTC, a Magni M2SS gyrocopter, registration MK 16, was performing a local recreational flight from a private airstrip in Ruvina, Sabugal. The aircraft, operated privately, was carrying a pilot and one passenger. Atmospheric conditions at the time were favorable for flight, with light winds and a scattered cloud base at approximately 4,000 feet.
The pilot performed the required pre-flight inspections and found no defects. During the takeoff roll on runway 11, the pilot utilized approximately two-thirds of the available runway, applying maximum power to reach 5,000 RPM and engaging the rotor pre-rotator to achieve necessary rotor RPM. As the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 50 feet, the pilot attempted to climb; however, the rotor autorotation was insufficient to maintain lift. The aircraft entered a descent, traveling roughly 500 meters before the keel struck the ground. The impact caused one rotor blade to strike the earth, resulting in a lateral roll. The subsequent impact and friction triggered an immediate fire that consumed the aircraft.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of lift. The investigation noted that the initial impact involved the nose gear, the keel group, and the tip of one rotor blade. The pilot reported that the aircraft was at a normal landing attitude and a low speed relative to the runway heading at the moment of impact. Due to the intensity of the fire, the aircraft was completely destroyed, and no technical components were recoverable for further physical examination.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was insufficient rotor autorotation to maintain flight following takeoff.
- The aircraft sustained a heavy impact with the ground, leading to the total destruction of the airframe.
- Both occupants survived the impact and were able to egress the aircraft on their own, sustaining only minor injuries.