What happened
On 25 March 2015, a RAF 200 and0 GTX SE FI gyrocopter, registration ZU-DVB, was conducting a private flight near the Uitenhage (FAUH) aerodrome in the Eastern Cape. The flight, which included the pilot and one passenger, proceeded normally during takeoff. However, while performing a left-hand turn on the downwind leg of the circuit at approximately 200 feet, witnesses heard three loud bangs. The aircraft immediately pitched into a nose-down attitude and plummeted into nearby bushy terrain. The impact was severe, and a post-crash fire quickly engulfed the wreckage, resulting in two fatalities.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the wreckage and maintenance history of the aircraft. The investigation focused on the mechanical state of the rotor mast assembly and the propeller. Physical evidence on the propeller blades and the rotor blades showed clear contact marks, confirming that the rotor had struck the propeller and the tail stabilizer during flight.
Investigators also reviewed maintenance logs, which revealed that the pilot, who was also the aircraft owner, had performed significant maintenance tasks without the required certification. Specifically, the pilot had replaced rotor blades and mast bump bushes following an unreported rollover incident months prior. On the day of the accident, the pilot was also observed making adjustments to the mast assembly gimble head/stop bolts.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the rotor blades making contact with the propeller and the tail stabilizer during a turn.
- The gimble stops on the mast assembly had been adjusted to their maximum positions, which allowed the rotor to flex into the path of the propeller and stabilizer.
- This contact caused both the engine and the rotor to stop abruptly, leading to a total loss of lift and preventing the aircraft from utilizing autorotation.
- The pilot performed unauthorized maintenance on critical flight components, violating civil aviation regulations regarding maintenance oversight.
- The aircraft was involved in a previous rollover incident that had not been reported to the authorities.