What happened
On 4 July 2022, a training flight involving an instructor and a student pilot resulted in an accident at Wagtail Aviation Airfield in the Free State province. The aircraft, a Trojan gyrocopter with registration ZU-REKM, was performing circuit training under visual meteorological conditions. After completing four successful touch-and-go maneuvers on Runway 06, the student pilot attempted a full-stop landing on the fifth circuit. During the round-out and flare phases of the landing, the aircraft's altitude became too low. In an attempt to prevent a hard impact, the pilot raised the nose significantly. However, this maneuver caused a loss of height, leading the main rotor blades to strike the runway. The impact was followed by the main landing gear hitting the ground, causing the aircraft to roll onto its left side. Both occupants evacuated the aircraft without injury, though the propeller, rotor blades, and fuselage sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
An investigation into the event established several key details regarding the participants and the aircraft's maintenance status. The student pilot was flying with an expired Recreational Student Licence, having been issued a certificate that had lapsed in June 2022. The instructor held a valid National Pilot Licence and a Gyro Instructor Grade C rating. The aircraft had recently undergone a 100-hour service in June 2022 and was within its valid period of serviceability. The investigation also reviewed the manufacturer's operating handbook, which notes that during the round-out, it is critical to maintain a stable descent without losing airspeed, as improper execution can lead to 'ballooning' or a sudden loss of lift.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was that the round-out and flare were executed too late, causing the rotor blades to strike the runway surface.
- A contributing factor was that the instructor did not intervene to take control of the aircraft to prevent the loss of altitude during the student's maneuver.