Gyrocopter sustains substantial damage during takeoff at Brakpan Airfield

Casualties unknown • Runway 18 at Brakpan Airfield, ZA

An Auto-Gyro GmbH Gyrocopter experienced a rotor strike on the propeller and rudder during its takeoff roll at Brakpan Airfield, resulting in significant aircraft damage.

What happened

On 14 August 2022, a private flight departing from Brakpan Airfield (FABB) in Gauteng province resulted in an aircraft accident. The aircraft, an Auto-Gyro GmbH Gyrocopter with registration ZU-RGV, was operated by a pilot and a passenger under visual meteorological conditions.

During the takeoff roll on Runway 18, the pilot initiated the pre-rotation sequence. As the main rotor reached approximately 120 RPM, a sudden wind gust caused the main rotor to tilt into an extreme aft position. This movement exceeded the aircraft's operational takeoff angle, leading the main rotor blades to strike both the propeller blades and the vertical stabilizer. The aircraft came to a halt on the runway. While the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the rudder and propeller tips, there were 0 fatalities and 0 injuries to the occupants.

The investigation

SACAA AIID investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance history, the pilot's credentials, and local meteorological data. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft's annual inspection had been completed approximately 12 hours prior to the event and that no outstanding defects were noted in the flight logs.

Regarding environmental conditions, weather data from the nearby Springs Aerodrome indicated winds of 11 knots gusting to 17 knots. Investigators compared these figures against the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), which specifies a maximum wind gust intensity of 40 knots and a maximum demonstrated crosswind of 20 knots. Consequently, the investigation determined that the wind conditions did not contribute to the accident.

Findings

  • The primary cause of the accident was that the gyrocopter was rotated at a low rotor RPM, specifically 120 RPM, whereas the POH requires a rotation to 200 RPM.
  • This low rotor speed allowed a wind gust to tilt the main rotor beyond the safe operational takeoff angle.
  • The collision between the rotor blades and the propeller/rudder was a direct result of this improper rotation speed.
  • The pilot's limited experience on this specific aircraft type was a contributing factor to the incorrect takeoff technique.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by performing the takeoff rotation at an insufficient rotor RPM, which rendered the main rotor susceptible to wind gusts that pushed the blades into the propeller and tail section.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2022-08-14 Auto-Gyro GmbH accident near Runway 18 at Brakpan Airfield, ZA?

An Auto-Gyro GmbH Gyrocopter experienced a rotor strike on the propeller and rudder during its takeoff roll at Brakpan Airfield, resulting in significant aircraft damage.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2022-08-14 involved a Auto-Gyro GmbH, registration ZU-RGV, at Runway 18 at Brakpan Airfield, ZA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by performing the takeoff rotation at an insufficient rotor RPM, which rendered the main rotor susceptible to wind gusts that pushed the blades into the propeller and tail section.

Loading the flight search…