What happened
On 27 June 2006, a gyroplane, registration ZU-DYV, was conducting a private pleasure flight in the vicinity of Redhill farm near Tzaneen. After initially departing from Phalaborwa Aerodrome and landing safely at the farm, the pilot embarked on a short flight with a passenger to enjoy the local scenery.
During the flight, the pilot decided to return to the farm's runway. Upon approaching the landing site, the pilot observed vehicles and people positioned near the flat threshold of the runway. In an effort to ensure the safety of those on the ground, the pilot attempted to land further down the runway. However, because this section of the strip featured a steep upward slope toward a mountain, the maneuver resulted in a hard landing.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the landing and the aircraft's condition. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was operating under a valid Authority To Fly and had undergone its most recent annual inspection in May 2006. At the time of the incident, the airframe had recorded 91.3 total hours.
Technical examination of the aircraft revealed damage to the propeller blades, the front wheel fork, and the rear wheel strut. The investigation also noted that the pilot's options were limited during the final approach, as high trees located approximately 50 meters from the runway edges and the rising terrain ahead prevented an aborted landing attempt.
Findings
- The pilot failed to maintain an appropriate approach speed while navigating the steep, up-sloping section of the runway.
- An excessive rearward pull on the control stick caused a significant loss of airspeed.
- The presence of obstacles, including trees and rising terrain, precluded the possibility of a go-around.
- The primary cause of the incident was the inability to maintain adequate airspeed during the landing flare on an inclined surface.