What happened
On 29 September 2012, at approximately 16:18 UTC, a Rotorsport UK Calidus, registration G-ETOJ, was performing a private flight from Shoreham Airport in West Sussex. During the takeoff sequence, the pilot lifted the nosewheel from the runway surface. Immediately following this, an audible bang was heard, and the aircraft underwent a rapid rotation to the left. The gyrocopter turned onto its side and bounced across the airfield before coming to rest on the grass adjacent to the runway. The pilot managed to exit the aircraft through the broken canopy but sustained serious injuries that required several days of hospitalization.
The investigation
Following the accident, the manufacturer and importer of the aircraft performed a technical examination of **G-ETO and the aircraft's components. This inspection, supported by photographs taken by airport authorities, revealed no evidence of mechanical or structural failures prior to the impact. The flying controls were found to be intact. Investigators noted that the left mainwheel hub and tyre showed damage consistent with striking the ground during the rollover. Furthermore, the underside of the keel exhibited scuffing in a location that suggested the aircraft was in a nose-high attitude during the event.
Crucially, the deformation of the two main rotor blades was observed to be predominantly upward-bending. According to the manufacturer's experience, a high-speed impact with hard ground typically causes significant bending within the plane of rotation or even blade loss. The observed upward deformation is more indicative of the rotor blades clipping the ground behind the aircraft.
Findings
- The accident was caused by the pilot over-rotating the aircraft during takeoff.
- This over-rotation led to the main rotor blades striking the ground behind the aircraft.
- The contact between the blades and the ground occurred while all three wheels were off the ground.
- The resulting torque reaction led to a loss of control in both roll and yaw, specifically causing the leftward roll.