What happened
On March 30, 2014, at approximately 14:52 local time, a Trixy Aviation G 4-2 R gyrocopter was involved in an accident at the Ebern-Sendelbach airfield. Witnesses observed the aircraft positioned in front of the hangars. Upon engine start, the engine immediately produced high power, causing the gyrocopter to accelerate toward the runway.
As the aircraft reached the threshold of runway 14, it crossed the runway centerline and continued rolling toward the Baunach River, located approximately 50 meters away. Witnesses estimated the ground speed to be between 60 and 70 km/h. Before reaching the river, the engine was shut down. The gyrocopter subsequently plunged into the lower-lying Baunach River, where the nose of the aircraft struck the opposite bank.
The investigation
The BFU investigation examined the aircraft, the pilot's credentials, and the airfield environment. The pilot, a 47-year-old experienced instructor assistant, sustained serious injuries in the accident and could not be interviewed.
The aircraft, a 2013 model, had recently been transported from Spain to Germany, and the intended flight was the first since the rotor had been reinstalled. Investigators examined the engine controls and the hydraulic braking system, finding no mechanical defects or impairments. The aircraft was equipped with a digital flight instrument capable of recording various parameters; however, the device contained no data regarding the sequence of events leading to the accident, only recording the aircraft's position on the apron prior to the incident.
Findings
- The aircraft accelerated rapidly toward the runway immediately following engine start due to high engine power.
- The gyrocopter veered off the runway threshold and traveled into the adjacent riverbed.
- The aircraft sustained heavy damage, including a bent rotor mast, damaged nose, canopy, and control components.