Gyrocopter pilot experiences a complete engine failure while on a precautionary approach after the e...

Attributes
ACN	1202096
Time
Date	201408
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Landing
Route In Use	None
Flight Plan	None
Component
Aircraft Component	Reciprocating Engine Assembly
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Commercial
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 108 Flight Crew Total 3541 Flight Crew Type 220
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue

Narrative:

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.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: 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.

Narrative: 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.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

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.