Accident Details
On January 16, 2014, about 1140 central standard time, an AutoGyro MTOsport gyroplane, registration N250TX, sustained substantial damage during the landing roll at David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (DWH) in Spring, Texas. The gyroplane veered off the runway and rolled over after its main rotor struck the runway. The pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. The gyroplane was registered to and operated by the City of Tomball, Texas, as a public use aircraft.
Flight History
The gyroplane departed DWH at 1030 on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot initially attempted to land on runway 17L (3,987 feet by 35 feet, asphalt) but performed a go-around due to wind gusts blowing the gyroplane off course. He was then cleared to land on runway 17R (7,009 feet by 100 feet, asphalt).
Landing and Incident
The pilot reported a quartering crosswind during the approach to runway 17R but landed the gyroplane without incident. As he reached forward to change the pneumatic mode selector button from "Flight" to "Brake," a strong gust of wind from the west lifted the gyrocopter. The right wheel came off the ground, allowing the main rotor blade to strike the runway surface. The pilot attempted to straighten the gyroplane, but it veered off the runway and rolled onto its right side, resulting in substantial damage to the empennage and main rotor.
Operator and Wind Conditions
The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. The control tower reported wind at 210 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 19 knots. The flight manual specified a maximum crosswind component of 20 knots for takeoff and landing, a maximum tailwind component of 5 knots, and a maximum wind speed or gust intensity of 40 knots. The calculated crosswind component during the landing was about 10 knots, within the stated limits.
Post-Landing Procedures
The flight manual listed "After Landing" procedures including: control stick full forward to level rotor disc, use lateral control into wind, bring pneumatic mode selector to BRAKE, apply rotor brake using aft trim, taxi carefully, and do not vacate until rotor and engine are stopped.