Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing flare resulting in a hard landing. Contributing factors were the crosswind and the pilot's failure to recover from a bounced landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the pilot he was conducting touch and go landings. During the landing flare the nose of the gyroplane drifted to the right. The pilot reported that he was not able to compensate for the winds. The gyroplane impacted the runway with the left landing gear followed by the right landing gear. The gyroplane bounced and impacted the runway again, coming to rest on its side, resulting in minor damage. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The pilot reported winds 90 degrees to the runway at 10 to 15 miles per hour. An examination of the gyroplane's structure and systems revealed minor damage and no anomalies.
Source record
Factual narrative
According to a telephone conversation with the pilot, he was conducting touch and go landings to runway 28 (5,602 feet by 100 feet, asphalt). He stated that during the landing flare, the nose of the gyroplane drifted to the right. The pilot reported that he was not able to compensate for the winds. The gyroplane impacted the runway with the left landing gear followed by the right landing gear. The gyroplane bounced and impacted the runway again, coming to rest on its side. The left landing gear separated and the rotor blade sustained impact damage. The pilot reported winds 90 degrees to the runway at 10 to 15 miles per hour. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the gyroplane. An examination of the gyroplane's structure and systems, conducted by the FAA, revealed minor damage and no anomalies. The pilot sustained serious injury during the impact.