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May 29, 2020 · Magni Magni M 16 Undesignat · N316MG

Cape Girardeau, MO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 29, 2020
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Cape Girardeau, MO
Aircraft
Magni Magni M 16 Undesignat (2006)
Tail Number
N316MG
Operator
Paul Salmon Aircraft Services
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN20LA203

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.

NTSB 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.

Full Narrative

On May 29, 2020, at 1715 central daylight time, a Magni M-16 gyroplane, N316MG, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The student pilot received minor injuries. The aircraft was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 instructional flight. The student pilot was conducting a supervised solo flight to practice touch-and-go landings and stated that, while on approach for the fourth or fifth landing, the engine warning light illuminated while on the downwind leg. He dismissed the engine light when it extinguished while rolling down the runway and elected to take off again. He then noticed a “weird smell” after he took off and the engine did not seem to be producing power, so he landed again; however, because the aircraft was nearing the end of the runway, he chose to take off again so that the gyroplane did not continue off the end of 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 flight instructor and owner of the gyroplane watched the pilot land and stated that the pilot remained on the runway too long before taking off again. He stated that he was expecting the pilot to exit the runway and taxi back when he took off again with about 100 to 200 ft of runway remaining. The nose of the gyroplane was “too high,” and the gyroplane settled back to the ground past the departure end of the runway. He explained that the accident gyroplane was equipped with an engine alarm light that would illuminate for high exhaust gas temperatures (EGT), low oil pressure, low fuel pressure, and low voltage. He believed that the light illuminated on downwind for high EGT due to having the throttle at full power for too long, and that the light went out when the throttle was reduced for landing. He further explained that the light likely illuminated on landing due to low oil pressure when the throttle was reduced to idle. The engine was examined by a local mechanic and no anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:15 CDT
Nearest AirportCape Girardeau Rgnl (0nm NNE)
Runway02
Runway Length3997 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMagni Magni M 16 Undesignat
Tail NumberN316MG
Aircraft CategoryGyro
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPaul Salmon Aircraft Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 914UL · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 18 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 6 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter29.64 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data