What happened
On October 17, 2019, a student pilot was conducting a supervised solo flight at the private airfield in Torreilles, France. Having completed two successful dual-instruction flights earlier that day, the student pilot took off from runway 01 in an ELA07 gyroplane, identified as 66QN, to perform a standard circuit.
During the climb, at an estimated altitude of 400 feet, the instructor—who was monitoring the flight via radio—noted a significant drop in engine RPM followed by a subsequent increase in power. When the instructor contacted the student to inquire about the engine fluctuation, the student reported experiencing intense vibrations within the aircraft. Shortly thereafter, witnesses observed the gyroplane performing rolling motions, pitching nose-down with a right-hand bank, and striking the ground, which resulted in a post-impact fire.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the wreckage and the mechanical state of the aircraft. Although the wreckage was heavily damaged by fire, several key findings were established:
- The impact pattern indicated a nose-down attitude and a right-hand bank.
- The main rotor blades showed minimal damage, suggesting a relatively low rotational speed at the moment of impact.
- Flight controls remained functional and continuous at the time of impact.
- An endoscopic examination of the Rotax 9ered engine revealed that the cylinders, pistons, valves, and liners were in good internal condition.
- One propeller blade was missing from the site, though it could not be determined if it detached in flight or was destroyed by the fire.
Maintenance records indicated that the aircraft, which had 800 total flight hours, had been maintained according to manufacturer recommendations. The engine, installed in 2018, had 430 hours of operation.
Findings
- The student pilot experienced intense vibrations during the flight, which preceded the loss of control.
- The investigation could not definitively determine the specific cause of the vibrations or the subsequent loss of control.