What happened
On 30 January 2024, a student pilot operating a Xenon 2 RST gyrocopter, registration ZU-RDY, departed from Morningstar Airfield in the Western Cape for a scheduled training flight. The flight was being conducted under visual meteorological conditions in accordance with Part 1 Rayleigh 141 regulations.
Following standard procedures, the pilot refueled the aircraft, performed pre-takeoff inspections, and completed engine run-up checks at the Runway 20 holding point. As the takeoff roll commenced, the pilot pre-rotated the engine to 2100 RPM, with the rotor RPM at 185. During the forward roll, the pilot applied full power gradually. This delay in power application caused the rotor RPM to drop. Consequently, the trailing rotor blade experienced excessive flapping, leading it to strike the runway surface. Despite the impact, the pilot managed to continue the climb, completed a circuit at 600 feet above ground level, and landed the aircraft safely at the airfield. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the rotor blades, though the pilot escaped without injury.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the flight records and aircraft maintenance history. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid Recreational Student Pilot Licence and a current Class 4 medical certificate. The aircraft, ZU-RDY, possessed a valid Authority to Fly and a current Certificate of Release to Service. No mechanical defects were noted in the aircraft's flight folio prior to the incident.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was excessive rotor blade flapping during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the trailing blade making contact with the ground.
- A contributing factor to the event was the use of aggressive control inputs during the maneuver.