What happened
On 4 November 2021, a pilot operating a Trojan Gyrocopter, registration ZU-RKM, was engaged in a private flight between Farm Klipdrift and Parys Airfield (FAPY). After an initial landing at FAPY to visit a restaurant that proved to be closed, the pilot conducted a period of flight in the vicinity for approximately 45 minutes before returning to the airfield for a full stop.
During the subsequent attempt to depart from Runway 24, the pilot performed standard pre-flight inspections, taxiing, and radio communications. As the pilot initiated the takeoff roll and released the wheel brakes, a gust of wind from the right side caused the main rotor blades to flap unexpectedly. This movement resulted in the blades making contact with the rudder and tail fins. The pilot immediately aborted the takeoff, bringing the aircraft to a stop after rolling a few meters. There were no injuries to the pilot, though the aircraft suffered substantial damage to the main rotor and rudder.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the takeoff roll and the aircraft's maintenance history. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft had undergone its most recent annual inspection on 11 September 2021, with 23.1 airframe hours accumulated since that service. No mechanical defects or pre-existing issues were recorded prior to the event, as all identified damage was a direct result of the rotor-to-tail contact.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the main rotor blades flapping into the rudder and tail assembly during the takeoff run.
- A wind gust from the right side contributed to the instability of the rotor blades during the initial roll.
- The pilot successfully aborted the takeoff immediately upon realizing the contact had occurred.