What happened
On 24 April 1998, a Replica Campbell Cricket, registration G-BXCJ, was conducting a private training flight at Pembray Airfield in Carmarthenshire. The pilot, a student gyroplane pilot, was performing a specific maneuver known as a 'wheel balancing' exercise. During this procedure, the pilot accelerates the aircraft to lift the nosewheel from the runway surface while attempting to maintain the craft balanced on its mainwheels.
During the maneuver, the aircraft was operating on Runway 22 with a surface wind of 220° at 10 to 12 knots. As the pilot attempted the balance, one of the mainwheels lifted from the ground. The pilot did not provide an adequate control response to the movement, which resulted in the rotor blades making contact with the ground. The impact caused the gyroplane to roll onto its left side.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The examination focused on the mechanics of the maneuver and the pilot's reaction to the aircraft's pitch and lift. The investigation established that the aircraft sustained severe damage to one rotor blade and minor damage to the nacelle. No injuries were reported following the incident.