Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to rotate the aircraft until he was well past the normal takeoff rotation speed, and his abrupt rotation at this higher speed.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During the takeoff roll, the pilot failed to rotate the gyrocopter until he was well past the normal takeoff rotation speed. When he did rotate, he did so abruptly, causing the rotor blades to stall. The blades then flapped downwards, impacting the terrain and cutting the tail off the aircraft.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 30, 2001, approximately 0800 mountain daylight time, an experimental Herriford RAF 2000 gyrocopter, N2361S, collided with the terrain during an attempted takeoff at Gardiner Airport, Gardiner, Montana. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which was owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The local 14 CFR Part 91 recreational flight was taking place in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot, he inadvertently allowed the gyrocopter to remain on the ground too long during the takeoff roll by applying excessive forward cyclic. Because it was accelerating, the aircraft reached a speed greater than that at which it should have lifted off. When the pilot realized the aircraft's speed was such that it should have already lifted off, he rotated too rapidly, stalling the main rotor blades. The blades immediately flexed downwards, impacting the ground and severing the aircraft's tail.