Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's improper flare following a partial loss of engine power, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor was the partial loss of engine power for unknown reasons.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
Shortly after takeoff, about three-quarters down the runway and at an altitude of 50 feet, the gyrocopter's engine surged, then experienced a "partial, but significant loss of power." The pilot reduced the power to idle and attempted to land on the remaining runway. He flared too high, the main landing gear hit the runway "hard," and the gyrocopter's nose pitched down, collapsing the nose wheel and shearing it off. The gyrocopter then rolled about 90 degrees onto its right side, and skidded to a stop just before reaching the end of the runway. The gyrocopter was powered by a non-certified engine, and the reason for the partial loss of engine power was not determined. The pilot reported a total of 76 hours of flight time, of which, 72 hours were in gyrocopters.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 7, 2005, about 1455 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Air Command Elite gyrocopter, N2416P, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at Cincinnati-Blue Ash Airport (ISZ), Cincinnati, Ohio. The certificated private pilot was not injured, and the passenger incurred minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight, conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that shortly after takeoff, about three-quarters down runway 24 and at an altitude of 50 feet, the engine "surged," then experienced a "partial, but significant loss of power." The pilot reduced the power to idle and attempted to land on the remaining runway. He flared too high, the main landing gear hit the runway "hard," and the gyrocopter's nose pitched down, "collapsing the nose wheel and shearing it off." The gyrocopter then rolled about 90 degrees onto its right side, and skidded to a stop just before reaching the end of the runway. The gyrocopter was powered by a non-certified Subaru 1522 engine. The post-accident examination of the wreckage did not reveal the reason for the partial power loss. The pilot reported a total of 76 hours of flight time, of which, 72 hours were in gyrocopters. Weather, reported at an airport about 12 nautical miles to the southeast, at 1453, included winds from 050 degrees true at 5 knots, temperature 88 degrees Fahrenheit, and dew point 73 degrees Fahrenheit.