What happened
On July 21, 2018, an MTO Sport gyrocopter, registration LN-YUR, was conducting a flight from Lakselv, Norway, to Steigen, Norway. After an initial leg to Kautokeino to refuel, the pilot elected to fly a direct route through Finland toward Salangen.
As the aircraft approached the Kilpisjärvi area, it encountered deteriorating weather conditions characterized by Cumulonimbus clouds. Rather than returning to a safe landing site or turning back, the pilot altered the course to climb over a mountain range. During this maneuver, the aircraft encountered strong wind gusts and turbulence caused by the convective activity. The aircraft lost airspeed and directional control, causing it to enter a rotation. The gyrocopter drifted off the mountain plateau and crashed into a boulder field. The pilot sustained fatal injuries, while the passenger escaped the wreckage and managed to signal for help using a mobile phone.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted by the Norwegian Accident Investigation Board (SHT), examined the flight planning, the aircraft's performance, and the pilot's experience. Investigators looked into the weather conditions, the aircraft's weight and balance, and the regulatory compliance regarding passenger checks and flight notifications. The investigation also reviewed the cockpit's technical status, including the use of the transponder and the presence of emergency equipment.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of airspeed during turbulence, which led to a loss of control.
- The pilot had very limited flight experience, with only 50 minutes of flight time recorded for the current year.
- The aircraft was significantly overweight, exceeding its maximum operational limit by approximately 50 kg, which likely prevented the crew from carrying essential emergency equipment.
- The pilot failed to adhere to mountain flying safety principles, specifically by not turning back or landing when encountering unfavorable weather.
- The transponder was turned off after departing Kautoke $...$ Kautokeino, making the aircraft invisible to air traffic services.
- No flight plan had been filed for the cross-border flight, which would have facilitated a more rapid search and rescue response.
- The passenger check-out process had been improperly documented by an instructor without the required theoretical testing.