Pilot Debrief

Magni MAGNI M 16 near Cape Girardeau, MO — 2020-05-29

Final reportCEN20LA203
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Date
2020-05-29
Location
Cape Girardeau, MO, USA
Airport
CGI
Aircraft
Magni MAGNI M 16
Registration
N316MG
Category
Gyroplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The student pilot’s decision to take off with inadequate runway remaining, and his subsequent failure to attain proper airspeed, which resulted in the gyroplane’s descent into terrain.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot was conducting touch-and-go takeoffs and landings in the gyroplane when the engine warning light illuminated while on the downwind leg. He dismissed the engine warning light for oil pressure when it extinguished while rolling down the runway and elected to takeoff again. He stated that he noticed a “weird smell” and that engine did not seem to be making power, so he landed again on the remaining runway; however, noting that the end of the runway was approaching, he then chose to take off again so that the gyroplane did not continue off the runway into the muddy grass. The pilot reported that, after takeoff, he “had no speed” and “fell behind the power curve,” and the gyroplane descended into the grass past the end of the runway. The wheels dug into the soft ground and the aircraft rolled onto its side, substantially damaging the rotor system, the airframe, and the tail assembly. The pilot’s flight instructor, who witnessed the accident and was the owner of the gyroplane, stated that the pilot remained on the runway too long before taking off. He stated that the gyroplane became airborne with about 100 to 200 ft of runway remaining and that its nose was “too high” before it settled back to the ground past the end of the runway. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the gyroplane. The engine was examined, and no anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation. The accident is consistent with the student pilot’s decision to take off with inadequate runway remaining, and his subsequent failure to attain proper airspeed, which resulted in the gyroplane’s descent into terrain.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have exited the runway instead of taking off again with limited runway remaining.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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