BEA - Office of Investigations and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety of the French Republic
BEA - Office of Investigations and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety of the French Republic
03/12/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/12/2024 03:07
Accident to the gyroplane LET01 identified 31XL on 09/10/2022 at Saint-Élix-le-Château
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Accident to the gyroplane LET01 identified 31XL on 09/10/2022 at Saint-Élix-le-Château
Erratic movement of the main rotor blades, damage to the gyroplane, loss of control, collision with the ground
Responsible entity
France - BEA
Investigation progression Closed
Progress: 100%
During the flight, after a descent, the pilot increased the engine power. The gyroplane yawed to the left. The erratic movements of the main rotor blades in flight resulted in substantial distortion of the rotor head components, the blades striking the pusher propeller and sudden braking of the rotor. The yawing movement to the left was probably the result of the rotor braking as it interacted with the rotor head components. This yawing movement may have caused the rudder to detach. Given the extent of the damage, it was impossible for the pilot to keep control of the gyroplane and avoid collision with the ground.
The investigation was unable to determine the reason for this erratic movement of the main rotor blades. One of the blades being struck by a foreign body could not be ruled out.
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General information
| Local date | 09/10/2022 |
| Responsible entity | France - BEA |
| State or area of occurrence | France - 31 Haute-Garonne |
| Location | Saint Elix le Château |
| Human consequences | Fatal |
| Number of death | 2 |
| Aircraft consequences | Destroyed |
| Occurrence class | Accident |
| Occurence category | UNK: Unknown or undetermined |
| File number | BEA2022-0495 |
| Aircraft category | Microlight - Microlight-Class 4-Gyroplane |
| Operator | France (Private) |
| Manufacturer / Model | OTHER (ULM classe 4-Autogire - LET01) |
| Aircraft Registration | 31XL |
| State of registry | France |
| Last departure point | France (Base ULM Bois de la Pierre) |
| Planned destination | France (Base ULM Bois de la Pierre) |
| Flight phase | En route |
| Serial number | |
| Operator Type AG | Private owner |
| Operation Type | Non-Commercial Operations - Pleasure - Local |
BEA is the French air safety investigation authority for civil aviation. The sole objective of the investigation is to improve air safety. It is intended neither to apportion blame nor to assess responsiblity.