Accident to the Magni Gyro M-24 Orion identified 05TD on 08/03/2022 at Guillestre

The pilot took off from Saint-Crépin – Mont-Dauphin aerodrome in a strong wind with gusts. A few minutes after the take-off, downwind of the terrain, south of the aerodrome, the gyroplane was probably subject to downdrafts and entered a descending turn. The pilot recovered control of the gyroplane at around 50 ft from the ground. During the ensuing climb, the gyroplane did not seem to be stabilized in either roll or pitch. On entering the Durance valley south of the aerodrome, the gyroplane was probably subject not only to downdrafts, but also to rotors (vortices) due to the geographical configuration of the location. The pilot lost control of his gyroplane which collided with the ground. The investigation was not able to determine the cause of this loss of control.

However, based on the additional examinations carried out by the BEA on the pitch and roll control assembly (yoke/square pivot), the total or partial separation of this assembly in flight, making the gyroplane uncontrollable, cannot be excluded.

Lastly, given the pilot’s impaired cardiovascular function (probably unknown to him), it cannot be excluded that the pilot experienced an incapacitation due to the particularly stressful context of the flight.