Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 108; Flight Crew Total 3541; Flight Crew Type 220
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Aircraft
Power failure on approach. On approach I went to add some power and engine was either already off or quit at this point. Engine is a pusher so no visual. Landed deadstick and short of runway in a ditch. Rotor Blades struck ditch as they slowed down. Engine 'coughed' prior to this and this was a 'precautionary landing'. The landing was executed ok (even in the ditch) but as blades slowed they struck the back side of the ditch and were damaged. No significant structural damage to fuselage. Suspect fuel to be 'stale'. Fuel used was auto (93 octane). However; last fueling of the aircraft was [two months prior]. On a check of the fuel system approx 17-18 liters remain in the tank. On start up engine ran rough and quit. Removed fuel bowls on carbs to inspect and found insignificant debris. On second attempt at engine run the engine ran fine through idle to full throttle. Idle low but within limits.
Gyrocopter pilot experiences a complete engine failure while on a precautionary approach after the engine coughs earlier. The aircraft is landed short of the runway successfully; but in a ditch and the Rotor strikes the ground.