What happened
On 9 December 2015, during the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) World Air Games, an AUTOGYRO MTOSport gyrocopter, registration A6-GY0, crashed into the sea at the Skydive Dubai Palm Jumeirah drop zone. The aircraft, operated by Nad Al Sheba Private Club, was participating in an autogyro pylon race competition.
While navigating the race course, the aircraft completed several successful turns before experiencing a sudden change in flight attitude. Video footage from the pilot's GoPro and media cameras indicates that during a coordinated turn, the aircraft's roll became more severe than expected. As the aircraft climbed, the pilot's helmet was pulled from his head by the wind, which simultaneously caused his left hand to leave the throttle. Following this, the aircraft entered a state of zero or negative G-load, causing the rotor RPM to drop rapidly. The aircraft subsequently rolled to a 90-degree angle and impacted the water.
The pilot was submerged for approximately ten minutes before being recovered by rescue divers in an unconscious state. Despite resuscitation efforts, the pilot succumbed to his injuries ten days later. The accident resulted in one fatality.
The investigation
The GCAA AAIS investigation examined cockpit video footage, aircraft wreckage, and meteorological data. Investigators reviewed the aircraft's flight path through the floating pylons and analyzed the mechanical behavior of the rotor system during the maneuver. The investigation also looked into the pilot's equipment, noting that while the pilot was wearing a life jacket and helmet, the helmet's detachment was a significant event during the sequence of loss of control.