NTSB Factual Report

The gyroplane was substantially damaged when it rolled onto its right side during landing. The pilot was not injured. The pilot reported that he had recently purchased the aircraft and while transporting it to his home airport a trailer tie down strap had broken and bent the rudder trim tab. The tab was bent back to approximately its original position. The pilot reported that during the initial flight, right rudder was needed to keep the aircraft straight. When he returned to the airport, he set up for landing on runway 18 (2,450 feet by 20 feet, asphalt). He stated that the aircraft touched down on the main wheels. It did not come to a full stop before the nose wheel touched down and the aircraft "jerked hard right." He noted he "forgot to take out the right rudder." His attempts to keep the aircraft on the runway were unsuccessful and the right main wheel "dropped off" the runway pavement. The aircraft subsequently rolled onto its right side damaging the main rotor mast and control linkage.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion. Contributing factors were a bent rudder trim tab, the narrow runway, and the uneven terrain at the edge of the runway pavement.