Date:	Wednesday 22 June 2022
Time:	11:07
Type:	AutoGyro MTOsport
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:
MSN:
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Whakatane Airport (WHK/NZWK) -   New Zealand
Phase:	Take off
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Whakatane Airport (WHK/NZWK)
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	CAA NZ
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
A witness observed that as the aircraft began to roll down the runway, it became airborne to a height of approximately two metres, then the nose pitched up to such an extent that the tail skid contacted the runway and the rotor blades struck the runway be hind the aircraft. The aircraft continued for a short distance before rolling onto its side. The witness called the emergency services then went to assist.The weather was reported as fine with very little wind. The pilot suspects that he may have inadvertantly reduced engine power during the take-off and over-rotated. The throttle operation for increasing power in the gyro is opposite to the tractor which he was familiar with operating.

1. The Beacon (Whakatane), 24 June 2022, www.thebeacon.co.nz
2. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rdp-whakatane-regional-news/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503575&objectid=12533163

Date/time	Contributor	Updates
24-Jun-2022 00:33	Ron Averes	Added
24-Jun-2022 00:36	Ron Averes	Updated [Aircraft type, Departure airport, ]
24-Jun-2022 02:53	Ron Averes	Updated [Source, ]
24-Jun-2022 02:55	Ron Averes	Updated [Source, ]
29-Nov-2023 03:27	Ron Averes	Updated [Aircraft type, ]