What happened
On 6 November 2015, a private flight involving an ELA-07 gyrocopter, registration ZU-DLN, departed from Panorama Airfield in Gauteng. The pilot was flying in formation with another gyrocopter, intending to transit to Eagle Creek Airfield as part of a group flight to Mokop and Limpopo Province.
While flying north over the Parktown area, witnesses observed the aircraft emitting black smoke from the rear following two loud bangs. The aircraft then executed a sharp right-hand bank and entered a steep descent. During this descent, the aircraft struck trees near the Old Parks Sports field, leading to a loss of control and a subsequent impact with the ground. A severe post-impact fire erupted, destroying the aircraft and causing the fatal death of the pilot.