What happened
On 31 August 2014, an ELA-07 gyrocopter, registration ZU-DSL, was performing a private scenic flight from Secunda Aerodrome to Springs Aerodrome. As the pilot and passenger approached runway 03 for landing, the aircraft was struck by a sudden gust of wind. This gust forced the gyrocopter into a sideways orientation.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft veered off the paved surface and onto the grass adjacent to the runway. The nose wheel struck a protruding heap of dry grass, which caused the nose gear fork to break and the gear to collapse. This impact caused the aircraft to tilt, leading the main rotor to strike the ground and resulting in the gyrocopter rolling onto its right side. There were no injuries to the two occupants, though the aircraft suffered substantial damage.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight sequence, meteorological conditions, and the pilot's actions. Investigators confirmed the pilot held a valid national license and was qualified for the flight. Weather data from an automatic station indicated a wind speed of 8 knots from 110 degrees at the time of the incident. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's maintenance status, noting the airframe was within its weight limitations and the annual inspection was current.
Findings
- The pilot failed to apply sufficient control inputs to correct the aircraft's attitude following the wind gust.
- The lack of pilot control input during the landing phase led to the aircraft touching down in an abnormal, sideways attitude.
- The pilot's limited flight experience, totaling only 54.3 hours, may have contributed to the inability to compensate for the sudden environmental change.