Incident Details
On May 27, 2021, at approximately 06:15 local time (12:15 UTC), the pilot of an Auto Gyro MTO Sport ultralight, registration UL-TI-113, began a private flight from Limón International Airport (MRLM) with one passenger on board. The pilot had filed a flight plan to Monte Reina aerodrome (MRMR) in Nicoya, Guanacaste. The aircraft commenced takeoff from runway 14 around 06:20–06:25. According to the pilot, light rain began during the takeoff roll and quickly became heavy rain. The pilot extended the takeoff roll beyond the runway into an area without rain. During a subsequent poor climb with heavy rain threatening over the runway threshold, the pilot made a slight turn over runway 32 to return to the runway but found it impossible to return properly. The pilot then decided to land on the beach parallel to the runway.
The aircraft sustained minor damage to one main rotor blade. There was no post-impact fire. The aircraft was removed from the beach to prevent tidal inundation. Both occupants were uninjured.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The aircraft was an Auto Gyro MTO Sport (MTOS 17), powered by a single Rotax 912 engine. It was privately operated. The pilot, a 55-year-old male, held a commercial ultralight pilot license. The exact number of hours flown or other crew qualifications are not specified in the source.
Investigation Status
The Costa Rican Civil Aviation Technical Council (CETAC), through its Accident Investigation Authority (AIA), is conducting the investigation. As of the provisional declaration dated May 27, 2022, the investigation was 70% complete. The investigation has focused on photographic evidence of tracks and debris at the scene, interaction with the environment (weather conditions and the emergency landing area), and technical aspects of the aircraft. Next steps include review by experts, philological revision, and approval by CETAC before distribution for observations per ICAO Annex 13 and RAC 13. The case remains under investigation.