Factual Information
On 12 October 2024, a gyrocopter flight operated by a cadet pilot performing his third solo from Al Jazirah Aviation Club's Runway 28 experienced an accident. The aircraft, an AutoGyro MTO Sports registered as A6-XNG, sustained substantial damage. The pilot sustained a leg injury.
History of the Flight
The pilot contacted his instructor by phone for a flight briefing before arriving at the club. He conducted pre-flight checks and start-up, then taxied to backtrack on Runway 28 via taxiway Charlie. He paused in the loop for magneto checks, which were within limits. After another aircraft completed its landing and vacated the runway, the gyrocopter lined up on Runway 28, stopped at the threshold, and completed the pre-take-off checklist.
CCTV footage recorded the sequence: at 1138, the gyrocopter aligned on the runway; at 1139, another aircraft landed; at 1140, the gyrocopter commenced forward motion. Forty-six seconds later, it entered a steep vertical climb. Two seconds later, the gyrocopter struck the runway, veered to the left, and came to rest on the sand.
The pilot exited the gyrocopter on his own. The club's ground controller rushed over. The pilot sustained a leg injury. At 12:23, an ambulance arrived, assessed the pilot on-site, and transported him to Saqr Hospital, where his leg wound required stitches.
Damage to the Gyrocopter and Property
The gyrocopter sustained substantial damage due to ground impact involving its main rotor, propeller blades, nose gear (completely detached), and the right-side structure. The rotors struck Runway 28, creating six slashes.
Personnel Information
The pilot was 30 years old, held a Commercial Pilot License for fixed-wing aircraft valid to 31 October 2025, with ratings including IR/ME/SPA and DHC6. His total flying hours were 3205.7, with 1042.2 hours as command on all types. On the gyrocopter type, he had 9 total hours and 1.6 hours as command. His last recurrent training was on 17 September 2024. He held a Class 1 medical certificate valid to 13 July 2025 with limitation VDL. He worked as a captain for Skydive Dubai, commanding Twin Otter aircraft, and practiced gyrocopter training as a leisure activity. He began gyrocopter training on 18 September 2024. His last day in command was 10 October 2024; he did not perform any fixed-wing flights on the day of the accident. In a post-accident interview, the pilot demonstrated insufficient knowledge regarding gyrocopter take-off techniques.
Gyrocopter Information
The gyrocopter was an AutoGyro MTO Sports, manufactured in 2014, serial number M011080, registered in the United Arab Emirates as A6-XNG. The operator was Al Jazirah Aviation Club. The engine was a Rotax 912 ULS, serial number 6782800. Time since new was 976.30 hours. The last inspection was a 100FH/Annual inspection on 3 October 2024 at 968.20 hours. Time since last major inspection was 8.10 hours. Maximum take-off weight was 450 kg; take-off weight on the accident flight was 336 kg. Fuel tank capacity was 68 liters; on the accident flight, 34 liters.
The gyrocopter consists of a fuselage, rotor system with blades that spin freely within the rotor disc to generate lift, an engine powering a pusher propeller, a mast supporting the rotor system, landing gear with main wheels and a nose wheel, a cyclic stick for pitch and roll, rudder pedals for yaw, a tail assembly with rudder and horizontal stabilizers, and a fuel tank and instrumentation panel. The gyrocopter's power-generating mechanism uses an engine-driven propeller for forward thrust, and forward airflow initiates autorotation. A pre-rotation mechanism spins the rotor to specified RPM before take-off.
The take-off procedure typically involves pre-rotation to 200-220 RPM, then pulling the cyclic fully back, releasing brakes, gradually increasing throttle, and balancing on the main wheels until lift-off. In this accident, the gyrocopter lifted off at a steep pitch angle, causing rotor blade strike.
Injuries
The pilot's medical report indicated wounds on both legs that required stitches. There was no toxicology test performed.
Probable Cause
Not stated in the source.