Loss of control in flight: Magni M16 Tandem Trainer, N271BP, fatal accident occurred on December 9, 2024, at Foley Municipal Airport (5R4), Foley, Alabama

• Location: Foley, Alabama 
• Accident Number: ERA25FA071 
• Date & Time: December 9, 2024, 13:32 UTC 
• Registration: N271BP 
• Aircraft: MAGNI BUILDER LLC M-16 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Loss of control in flight 
• Injuries: 1 Fatal 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

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https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199400

On December 9, 2024, at 1332 central standard time, an experimental amateur-built M-16 gyroplane, N271BP, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident in Foley, Alabama. The sport pilot was fatally injured. The gyroplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The sport pilot obtained his pilot certificate about 4 months prior to the accident and had accrued a total flight experience of 61 hours; of which, 55 hours were in the accident gyroplane. According to witnesses and airport video, during takeoff and initial climb, the engine was at full power throughout the accident flight, and the sound of the engine was smooth and continuous until ground contact. After rotation and liftoff, the gyroplane oscillated slightly but then the oscillations ceased. The nose of the gyroplane subsequently pitched up too far and full left rudder input was applied until the nose of the gyroplane was oriented 90° to the direction of flight. A right cyclic input followed, which unloaded the rotor system and induced a buntover event. The gyroplane turned and rolled right, through inverted, before it impacted the runway in a nose-low, upright position. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

- Probable Cause: The sport pilot’s failure to maintain control of the gyroplane during initial climb, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.

The pilot held a sport pilot certificate and an endorsement for gyroplanes. His certificate was issued on August 08, 2024. A review of his logbook revealed he made only one entry after the date of his practical test. The totals of the entries revealed 47 total hours of flight experience as of September 3, 2024. Interpolating the totals from the logbook and the operator’s records, the operator estimated the pilot had accrued 61 total hours of flight experience, 55 hours of which were in the accident gyroplane.