What happened
On the morning of 14 November 2001, a Magni Gyro gyrocopter, registration ZU-CJG, departed from Margate for a private flight toward Cato Ridge. The flight path followed the coastline, with the intention of landing at a destination near Cato Ridge. During the flight, near the Hibberdene area, the aircraft was operating at an altitude of approximately 100 feet AGL. While the pilot was looking downward, the aircraft struck overhead power lines. The impact forced an emergency landing on the N2 highway, where the gyrocopter rolled over. The accident resulted in one minor injury to the pilot, while the passenger remained unhurt. The aircraft sustained significant damage to its rotor, rotor head, propeller, tail unit, and flight instruments.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the collision and the environmental conditions at the time of the incident. Meteorological data confirmed that the weather was clear with no cloud cover, good visibility, and a temperature of approximately 25ºC. Winds were recorded from the north-east at 25 knots. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid gyrocopter license and that the aircraft had been maintained according to required standards. The investigation focused on the pilot's actions and spatial awareness during the period immediately preceding the impact with the power lines.