What happened
On 17 June 2017, a Magni M16C gyroplane, registration G-CIZK, was performing training circuits at Popham Airfield in Hampshire. The aircraft was being operated by a student pilot during his fourth solo flight. The weather conditions were characterized by good visibility and a light wind from 240 degrees.
During the third landing of a series of circuits, the aircraft approached the grass runway with a flat attitude. As the gyroplane decelerated, the student pilot moved the control stick to the full aft position. This sudden movement caused the nose of the aircraft to pitch up and the gyroplane to roll to the right. Consequently, the rotor blades made contact with the ground before striking the propeller. The impact caused the aircraft to rotate 90 degrees, eventually coming to rest in an upright position with the engine stopped. There were no injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the student pilot and additional information provided by his instructor. The investigators examined the sequence of the landing and the pilot's control inputs. The inspection of the aircraft revealed significant damage to the rotor blades, the rotor head, and the mast, along with a distorted airframe and destroyed propeller blades.