CEN21LA276

The pilot of the experimental gyroplane reported a loss of engine power during cruise flight. The pilot was unable to restore engine power, so he made a forced landing to a pasture, during which the main rotor blades were substantially damaged. Postaccident examination of the engine found that the main fuel pump was inoperable and that the auxiliary fuel pump ran initially but stopped operating after a few seconds. Because both fuel pumps had failed, fuel could not be fed to the engine during the accident flight, and a total loss of engine power occurred. The reasons for the failure of both fuel pumps could not be determined from the available evidence for this investigation.

On June 16, 2021, about 1730 central daylight time, an AutoGyro Cavalon gyroplane, N46JS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Collinsville, Texas. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot stated that he departed from North Texas Regional Airport (GYI), Denison, Texas, about 1715 and was in cruise flight toward Weatherford, Texas, at an altitude of 2,500 ft. Subsequently, the gyroplane lost engine power and began to lose airspeed and altitude. The pilot was unsuccessful in restoring engine power, so he performed a forced landing to a pasture. During the landing, the main rotor blades were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that the gyroplane had 13 gallons of fuel at the time of takeoff. Postaccident examination of the gyroplane found that fuel was not being delivered to the engine when the fuel tank was below one-half full in the interconnected tanks. Examination of the fuel pumps found that the No. 1 main fuel pump was inoperable. The No. 2 auxiliary fuel pump stopped working after a few seconds. Examination of the fuel system revealed no evidence of contamination or debris.