What happened
On 8 February 2011, a Rotorsport UK MTOSport, registration G-CGIX, was involved in an accident during a private flight at Leicester Airfield. While preparing for departure, the pilot taxied the gyroplane to the holding point for Runway 28. The weather conditions were favorable, with a surface wind of 220°/6-8 kt.
To manage traffic in the circuit and accommodate an aircraft following closely behind, the pilot opted for a rolling takeoff. After completing the necessary pre-takeoff checks, the pilot engaged the pre-rotor and increased the throttle, accelerating the main rotor to 200 rpm. During the maneuver, the rotor blades made contact with the tail fin. The impact resulted in damage to the rotor, tail fin, propeller, and the rudder connecting rod. There were no injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
Investigators examined the sequence of events and the aircraft's configuration during the takeoff roll. The investigation established that the pilot had engaged the pre-rotator and applied power while executing a left turn to enter the runway. The physical evidence and the pilot's account indicated that the rotor blades struck the tail fin while the blades were in a state of motion during the acceleration phase.