What happened
On 12 February 2019, a Rotorsport UK Calidus, registration G-CGOT, was involved in a ground accident at Leicester Airport. The pilot had arrived at the airfield earlier that morning and was taxiing along Runway 04 with the intent to stop at the holding point for Runway 28. During this taxi, the aircraft overshot the hold, leaving the rotor tip approximately two-thirds of a meter from the runway edge.
After receiving wind information from the tower, the pilot observed another aircraft on final approach to Runway 28. Following a radio exchange with the other pilot, the commander of G-CGOT declared his intention to line up for an immediate departure. As the pilot engaged the pre-rotator and applied power, he noted that the rotor speed was increasing too rapidly, causing the clutch to slip. During this process, the rotor blades began to sail and struck the ground. The aircraft then veered to the left and nearly rolled over before stopping upright.
The investigation
Investigators examined the sequence of events leading to the rotor strike and the mechanical state of the aircraft. The investigation established that the pilot had been operating under a Private Pilot's Licence with 434 total flying hours, 383 of which were on this specific type. The investigation reviewed the pilot's actions regarding the application of power and the subsequent behavior of the rotor assembly. The aircraft sustained damage to the airframe, the tailplane, and the rotor assembly.
Findings
- The pilot applied excessive power during the pre-rotation phase, which caused the clutch to slip.
- The rotor blades began to sail and made contact with the ground.
- The pilot sustained minor injuries during the incident.