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Dumb, Dumber and DUMBER!!!!!Saturday 18th June, 2005 at 1300 hrs, I drove through two fences at the Northern end of runway 32 at high speed with not enough rotor speed (blade flap)and forwarded somersaulted gyro. Requiring an extensive rebuild of the front end, rear keel and tail.This accident was the result of my stupidity and has nothing to do with the design or effectiveness of the Butterfly gyroplane OR gyroplanes generally.DUMB.1. I deviated from a flying schedule I had set myself for the next four days, which covered the period of the Opps Mgr comming to Tassie Mon 20th - Tues 21st, to meet the local crew and effect BFR's. After recieving a phone call Saturday morning at 1030 hrs, I attend at the airfield on short notice.DUMB.2. I took my kids with me and whilst they were locked in the club house and being look after by others, with strict instructions that my kids not be let out till I returned..,..the stress levels exceeded levels normally experienced when kids are not present.DUMB.3. Last time I flew, Butterfly flew fine, though I thought there might have been a little more stick shake than was acceptable. Because I had an old benson hub bar with irregular worn holes fron the cotton reels on sides of hub block, I had previously shimmed these to get correct tolerances. I decided to rotate the head 180 degrees.I also adjusted the trim string for some more nose up as hands free she gentle noses down and to the left.DUMBER.4. Whilst back tracking runway 32 I thought the blades had not come up to rrpms consistent with previous experience (as limited as that is 15 1/2 hrs solo). So when I turned around for take off on runway 32 slight N/W 10 to 15 knots, I placed her into the wind and spun up again. I held the disc at full back stick and used some thrust under brake to give additional airflow to help bring them up.I began to taxi, by the top of the first rise the blades were not comming up as I would have expected or liked.By the second rise in the runway again not quite cooking. This should have been my abort point. Another peek and the blades looked good to go.STUPID.5. During the last seconds of course I realised I was in trouble. I thought the nose had come up and ordinarily I would have been off and away. Whilst all this was going on I have strayed left of my track and clipped a tyre marker (not known till later observing the site). Later it was suggested this might have popped me into the air, however after going back and looking at the site, I found my wheel tracks and they continue on past the tyre.Approximately 4-5 mtrs before the first fence the wheel tracks disappear.I tried to horse the gyro over the fence. I felt the right to left knocking on the stick, indicative of flap as a result of not enough rrpm. The first fence flipped me sommersaulting forward. I thought I had then rolled left and then right comming to rest on the right side of gyro nose gear burried into the soft ground.It seems that the first full tumble resulted in a roll left landing on left mains, which has then bounced me back onto the right side of gyro comming to a sudden halt. The gyro travelled approx 26 mtrs from the point where the wheel tracks finished to final resting point.Classic case of series of poor judgements and decision processes.The high rider configuration of the gyro (Note I did not say CLT Hey John.)I believe with its tall front strut and instrument tube and pod, saved me from getting cut.The extremley strong front end keel configuration saved my legs and upper body from contacting the ground. I apolagise to every member for my stupidity and very poor decision making processes effected on this day.This accident in no way reflects on the general discussions about the safety of gyroplanes. THIS WAS PILOT ERROR.Gyroplanes are the safest aircraft to fly and operate, given rational, sensibile approaches to the sport, which I was sadly lacking on the day.Damage....Front end/rear keel/left push rod/tail/blades/prop/torque tube/jesus bolt/bearing/lower rear engine mount plate/head plates (maybe)instruments and instrument pod. I figure about $4000-$5000 will get me up again. Looks like I'm giving up smoking after 30 years. There was no visible damage to the mast or engine mount tube to mast arrangement. I have been told that there may well be a twist in the mast but the left head plate may have prevented the twist as it is slightly deformed. Yet to be determined.I am rebuilding and will always be involved with gyroplanes. Fortunately I will get to fly with some good blokes whilst in the US (PRA/OSHKOSH Conventions) and my Mate Nigel will take me up in his tandem trike periodically to satisfy my need for flight whilst I rebuild.This was a scary event and I truely hope that you new blokes comming in will see this accident for what it is. Major case of Pilot error. This will not happen to you if you take your time and slowly bring your blades up and make sensible decisions to abort at pre-determined points. Never assume your blades will do what you think they should, let your blades tell you when they are ready. Dont get ahead of what your aircraft is telling you.Fly SafeMitch.Image Insert:
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]].But you know wot ya gota do when the nag throws you ay.[
][Quietly wish'n you hadn't joined the club mate. Catch ya on the ph shortly.]Ignorance is bliss............but only till you realise you were.You can always get the answer you want, if you ask enough experts.
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