AutoGyro MTO Sport Destroyed Following Engine Power Loss and Ground Collision

Casualties unknown • Vila Franca de Xira, PT

An instructional flight in an AutoGyro MTO Sport ended in the destruction of the aircraft after a perceived loss of engine power led to a hard landing on uneven terrain.

What happened

On February 25, 2022, an instructor pilot and a student pilot were conducting a training flight originating from Benavente, Portugal. The flight plan included circuit patterns at both the Benavente flying field and Lezíria Airfield. After successfully completing five touch-and-go landings at Lezíria, the crew attempted a sixth takeoff from runway 10, intending to return to Benavente.

During this final takeoff, the instructor pilot reported a gradual loss of engine power when the AutoGyro MTO Sport reached approximately 30 feet above ground level (AGL) while passing the airfield boundaries. Despite the application of full power, the aircraft entered a continuous descent. The instructor took control of the aircraft to initiate an emergency landing on the runway heading. During the flare and touchdown, the right landing gear struck the ground with significant force. The aircraft then collided with a transverse ramp, approximately 0.6 meters high, which had been obscured by grass. This impact caused the aircraft to flip and tumble laterally, resulting in the total destruction of the aircraft. Both occupants escaped the wreckage without injury.

The investigation

The GPIAAF examined the engine and its components to determine if a mechanical failure caused the reported power loss. The investigation found no evidence of any engine failure or component malfunction that could justify the loss of power described by the instructor. Additionally, the investigation found no evidence of medical issues affecting the flight crew. The aircraft, registered D-MCVG, was found to be certified according to German microlight specifications, though there was no evidence of authorization to operate the aircraft in Portugal.

Findings

  • The aircraft experienced a high rate of descent following a perceived loss of engine power.
  • The landing gear struck a hidden 0.6-meter-high earthen ramp covered by grass.
  • An assessment of the engine and its peripheral components revealed no mechanical cause for the reported power loss.
  • The instructor pilot had approximately 2,500 hours of experience in gyroplanes.
  • The aircraft was destroyed due to the dynamics of the ground collision.

Probable cause

The aircraft entered a high rate of descent following a perceived loss of engine power; the subsequent hard landing was exacerbated by the impact with an unrecognized terrain feature (a transverse ramp) obscured by grass.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2022-02-25 AutoGyro MTO SPORT 2017 accident near Vila Franca de Xira, PT?

An instructional flight in an AutoGyro MTO Sport ended in the destruction of the aircraft after a perceived loss of engine power led to a hard landing on uneven terrain.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2022-02-25 involved a AutoGyro MTO SPORT 2017, registration D-MCVG, at Vila Franca de Xira, PT.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft entered a high rate of descent following a perceived loss of engine power; the subsequent hard landing was exacerbated by the impact with an unrecognized terrain feature (a transverse ramp) obscured by grass.

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