What happened
On 1 December 2010, a private flight involving a Magni Gyro M22, registration ZU-EBZ, resulted in an aircraft rollover at the Thaba Nkwe private game farm in Gauteng. The pilot had been conducting a local flight around the property and intended to land at the farm's private runway to offload a passenger.
During the final approach, the pilot observed game animals standing near the runway. As the aircraft neared the ground, the animals began crossing the path of the oncoming gyroplane. In an attempt to avoid a collision, the pilot pulled back on the control stick. This maneuver caused the aircraft's airspeed to drop significantly, leading to a stall. The Magni Gyro M22 subsequently struck the ground with a hard, sideways impact and rolled onto its side. While the aircraft sustained substantial damage, there were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the flight conditions, aircraft maintenance, and the pilot's technical proficiency. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid gyroplane license and medical certificate, and the aircraft had undergone its annual inspection earlier that year.
However, the inquiry revealed that the aircraft was being operated at a weight of 511.5 kg, which exceeded its maximum certified all-up weight by 11.5 kg. Furthermore, the investigation found that the pilot's technical and operational knowledge was of a low standard; specifically, the pilot was unable to perform necessary weight and balance calculations or answer fundamental questions regarding the safe operation of the aircraft. It was also noted that standard training protocols for gyroplane pilots had not been fully implemented.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a hard landing resulting from the pilot's decision to pull back on the control stick to avoid animals on the runway, which increased rotor drag and caused the aircraft to stall.
- The lack of fencing around the landing area created a high-risk environment by allowing uncontrolled animal movement across the runway.
- The aircraft was operating above its maximum certified weight.
- The pilot's technical knowledge regarding the aircraft's operational limits and weight and balance procedures was insufficient.