Accident Summary
On Tuesday, 8 February 2022, at approximately 16:45 local time (22:45 UTC), an AutoGyro MTO Sport 912 LS, registration UL-TI-060, operated by Fly With Us, was involved in an accident at Aeródromo de Aranjuez (MRAJ) in Pitahaya, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. The aircraft was on a local recreational flight with a single occupant, the pilot. The flight had departed from Aranjuez and included overflight of Puntarenas, Esparza, and Orotina before returning to the same aerodrome.
Sequence of Events
The accident occurred during the landing maneuver on Runway 04. The pilot reported that while on short final, a strong crosswind gust caused a loss of directional control. The aircraft landed in an area parallel to the active runway, which was covered with rocks and irregularities. The front landing gear detached, and the aircraft lost control on the ground, skidding to the right side. The event took place in daylight under visual flight rules (VFR).
Injuries and Damage
The pilot, the sole occupant, exited the aircraft unaided and sustained no injuries. The aircraft suffered major structural damage, including damage to the rotor and landing gear. No evidence of fire was found before or after impact.
Investigation Status
The investigation is being conducted by the Unidad de Accidentes e Incidentes Aéreos del Consejo Técnico de Aviación Civil (UAI-CETAC). As of the provisional declaration dated 8 February 2023, the investigation was 55% complete. The first chapter (factual information) has been completed. The next phases involve analysis, conclusions, and safety recommendations. No probable cause has been determined.