What happened
On 7 January 2017, an Ela-08 gyrocopter, registration ZU-EBO, was conducting a local flight near Patensie, Eastern Cape, when the pilot encountered difficulties immediately after takeoff. The aircraft departed from a gravel surface at Farm Beauna Vista, carrying the pilot and one passenger. Shortly after rotation, the pilot observed that the aircraft was unable to climb and that airspeed was dropping rapidly.
In response to the loss of airspeed, the pilot attempted a forced landing in a nearby ploughed field. Because of recent rainfall, the soil in the field was soft. During the landing sequence, the nose wheel of the gyrocopter dug into the mud, causing the aircraft to roll over onto its right side. While the aircraft suffered substantial damage, there were no injuries to the occupants.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID established that the pilot held a valid national pilot license with the appropriate gyrocopter endorsement. The aircraft possessed a valid Authority to Fly and was carrying sufficient fuel for the intended flight. The investigation found no engine abnormalities, and damage to the propeller blades indicated that the engine was still delivering power at the time of impact. Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were favorable, with no wind and clear visibility.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an unsuccessful forced landing following inadequate airspeed after rotation.
- A significant contributing factor was that the pilot allowed the aircraft to settle with power, a condition known as attempting flight behind the drag curve.