What happened
On 31 August 2020, a Magni M24 Plus gyroplane, registration 49ABZ, was performing local runway circuits at Saumur - Saint-Florent aerodrome. The pilot, who had received his gyroplane rating only 14 days prior, initiated a takeoff from runway 28. After a successful pre-rotation and horizontal acceleration approximately 10 meters above the ground, the aircraft entered a steep nose-up attitude, becoming nearly vertical.
At the peak of the climb, estimated at 50 meters, the aircraft performed two right-hand rolls before pitching nose-down toward the ground. The gyroplane struck the aerodrome's safety area to the left of the runway, where it caught fire upon impact. The pilot sustained fatal injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The BEA examined the wreckage and the site, noting that while fire damage limited the inspection of certain components, such as the elevator trim, the flight control linkages were found to be continuous. The engine was confirmed to be producing power at the time of the collision.
Investigators reviewed the pilot's training history, noting that while he was an experienced microlight pilot, he had only accumulated approximately 30 flight hours specifically on gyroplanes. The investigation also considered the aircraft's configuration, noting it was equipped with a Rotax 915 IS engine and was operating well below its maximum takeoff weight of 500 kg.
Findings
- The pilot applied excessive pitch control input during the horizontal acceleration phase of the takeoff.
- This input caused the aircraft to adopt an extreme nose-up attitude, leading to a decrease in rotor speed as the apparent weight of the gyroplane decreased.
- The pilot, likely surprised by the sudden dynamic change, was unable to recover the flight path, leading to the loss of control in roll.
- A contributing factor may have been the pilot's desire to demonstrate the performance of his new aircraft to onlookers, as he was performing the maneuvers in front of acquaintances interested in the model.