What happened
On 12 October 2024, a cadet pilot was performing his third solo flight in an AutoGyro MTO Sport, registration A6-XNG, at the Al Jazirah Aviation Club in Ras Al Khaimah. During the takeoff roll on Runway 28, the aircraft entered a steep vertical climb. This sudden pitch caused the rotor blades to strike the runway surface, creating several visible gouges in the pavement. Following the impact, the gyrocopter veered left and slid off the runway into the sand. The pilot sustained a leg injury that required medical attention and stitches at Saqr Hospital, though he was able to exit the wreckage unassisted.
The investigation
Investigators from the GCAA AAIS examined the flight sequence using CCTV footage and aircraft wreckage. The investigation focused on the aerodynamic state of the rotor system during the takeoff phase. The aircraft, which had undergone a maintenance inspection only nine days prior, showed no mechanical malfunctions. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's training records, noting that while the pilot was an experienced commercial fixed-wing pilot, he had only accumulated 1.6 hours of solo command time on this specific gyrocopter type.