Fatal - AutoGyro MT-03 HA-GYA, near Epöl, Hungary 20 APR 2019

[Kevin_Richey]

Having experimented extensively w/ gyro flight as slow as possible (w/in 10' of the ground, so as to just set down on the mains if I lost lift from side gusts of wind or sudden electrical or fuel-related stoppage) and I saw I was headed toward a hillside, it'd be natural to bank away in avoidance...

But, any turn or bank more than a very gentle one while in that state of flying causes immediate sinking. Much more so than @ cruising speed.

Between 10' AGL & below 250'-300' is that no-no zone.

 

[Abid]

In the report, they used "presentation" as what the pilot did after launching after visiting w/ the paragliders folks on the hill top where he had landed.

"Presentation"=showing capabilities, or, an air show?

Oh that kind of presentation.

 

[BEN S]

Having experimented extensively w/ gyro flight as slow as possible (w/in 10' of the ground, so as to just set down on the mains if I lost lift from side gusts of wind or sudden electrical or fuel-related stoppage) and I saw I was headed toward a hillside, it'd be natural to bank away in avoidance...

But, any turn or bank more than a very gentle one while in that state of flying causes immediate sinking. Much more so than @ cruising speed.

Between 10' AGL & below 250'-300' is that no-no zone.

I have personally witnessed Kevin doing this maneuver and immidiately admonished him for doing so. Call me a stick in the mud, but I prefer to have Kevin around then a cool picture....

 

[Kevin_Richey]

I have personally witnessed Kevin doing this maneuver and immidiately admonished him for doing so. Call me a stick in the mud, but I prefer to have Kevin around then a cool picture....

"just set down on the mains if I lost lift" and, mostly am w/ 4'-6' off the ground.

No different than practicing an emergency power loss by chopping the throttle to idle just after lifting off the ground and still under 10'-15' AGL.

 

[rcflier]

Just to nit-pick, I believe the gyro to be a MTO Sport - not a MT-03.
The mast angle and attach points on the head t-bar say so.