CEN21LA363

The pilot had just installed a new trim system in the gyroplane and intended to complete a maintenance test flight. During the test flight, the pilot tried to adjust the trim, but nothing happened. The pilot actuated the trim switch again, and the gyroplane pitched up violently. The pilot attempted to override the trim switch but was unable to do so, and the gyroplane rapidly descended from 50 ft to ground impact. The pilot reported after the accident that a trim limit switch was not installed and that the trim system maintenance was probably done incorrectly. Thus, given the available evidence for this investigation, the pilot’s incorrect trim system maintenance likely caused the malfunction during flight and led to the pilot’s loss of gyroplane control.

On August 7, 2021, about 1115 central daylight time, an unregistered Rotary Air Force RAF 2000 gyroplane sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Anahuac, Texas. The pilot was uninjured, and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 test flight. The pilot reported that the test flight occurred after a new trim system was installed. The pilot stated that, during the test flight, he tried to adjust the trim, but nothing happened. He actuated the trim switch again, and the gyroplane responded with a “massive pitch up.” He attempted to override the trim switch but was unable to do so, and the gyroplane descended rapidly from 50 ft to ground impact. The figure below shows the gyroplane on its right side in a field. The fuselage, empennage, and rotor blades sustained substantial damage. Figure. Gyroplane wreckage in its resting location (source: Texas Department of Public Safety). The pilot stated that a trim limit switch was not installed, and that the trim system maintenance was “probably” done incorrectly, which is what caused the malfunction during flight. The maintenance logbooks were not made available during the investigation.