What happened
On May 12, 2003, a student pilot was conducting a solo circuit at the Bagnères-de-Luchon aerodrome in Moustajon. The aircraft, an amateur-built two-seat gyroplane identified as W90-DQ, had previously completed a successful solo circuit earlier that morning. Following that flight, the pilot met with his instructor to discuss the performance of the flight. During this discussion, the pilot unfastened the chin strap of his flight helmet.
Upon taking off for a subsequent circuit, the pilot noticed the helmet sliding and becoming unstable. At an altitude of approximately 1,000 feet, the helmet was projected backward and struck the composite propeller blades. This impact caused the engine to fail. The pilot performed a 180-degree turn to locate a suitable landing site in a nearby grassy field. While attempting an approach, the pilot encountered an electric fence located in taller grass along the flight path. The aircraft's flare was too high, resulting in a significant vertical impact with the ground. The gyroplane tipped onto its right side, and the rotor blades broke upon contact with the terrain. The aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the engine failure and the subsequent impact. Investigators examined the aircraft's components, specifically noting that a composite propeller blade was recovered from the ground beneath the flight path, showing clear signs of friction marks consistent with being struck by an object.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine failure was the insufficient pre-flight checks regarding the pilot's equipment, specifically the failure to ensure the helmet strap was securely fastened before takeoff.
- The loss of the helmet led to a direct strike on the propeller, causing immediate engine stoppage.
- The subsequent crash was exacerbated by the pilot's inability to avoid an electric fence and the high vertical descent rate during the landing attempt.