Accident to the gyroplane LET01 identified 31XL on 09/10/2022 at Saint-Élix-le-Château

During the flight, after a descent, the pilot increased the engine power. The gyroplane yawed to the left. The erratic movements of the main rotor blades in flight resulted in substantial distortion of the rotor head components, the blades striking the pusher propeller and sudden braking of the rotor. The yawing movement to the left was probably the result of the rotor braking as it interacted with the rotor head components. This yawing movement may have caused the rudder to detach. Given the extent of the damage, it was impossible for the pilot to keep control of the gyroplane and avoid collision with the ground.

The investigation was unable to determine the reason for this erratic movement of the main rotor blades. One of the blades being struck by a foreign body could not be ruled out.