What happened
On 5 February 2011, a Magni Gyro M16 gyrocopter, registration ZU-RDS, departed from Bucks Aerodrome for a private flight. The aircraft, operated by the pilot, was carrying one passenger. Shortly after rotating from Runway 16, the pilot noticed the aircraft was sluggish and unable to climb despite attempts to engage the turbo.
Faced with a loss of altitude, the pilot attempted to abort the takeoff by performing an autorotation to land back on the runway. The descent was rapid, and the aircraft struck the ground with no forward speed. The tail of the gyrocopter hit the runway first, causing the aircraft to bounce and roll onto its right side. A ruptured fuel tank ignited upon contact with the hot engine, resulting in a post-impact fire that consumed the aircraft. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained serious burn injuries during the evacuation.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the aircraft's weight, environmental conditions, and the flight sequence. The investigation confirmed that the pilot was properly licensed and the aircraft was properly maintained and certified. However, the investigation revealed that the takeoff weight was 526 kg, which exceeded the maximum allowable takeoff weight by 26 kg.
Investigators also analyzed the meteorological conditions, noting a high density altitude of approximately 5328 ft. While the engine appeared to function normally during the initial takeoff roll, the aircraft's inability to maintain flight parameters was a central focus of the analysis.