On 4 November, I left Pukaki Airfield McKenzie Basin in South Canterbury with one passenger in my gyrocopter. Our destination was Forest Field Aerodrome in North Canterbury, a trip of around 110nm. We had completed our pre flight planning and there was nothing to warrant concern with a light-moderate easterly wind. The trip involved passage through the pass to the east coast. I was very familiar with the area and terrain and expected we might experience a few bumps as the wind funnelled in the pass and we planned to travel through at 3500 amsl, around 1500-2000ft agl.

As we entered into the mountain pass we were experiencing more headwind than we expected, but pressed on, continuing to monitor the conditions. When we arrived into the valley near Dog Kennel, west of Burke’s Pass, we encountered violent turbulence and a strong downdraught and were struggling to maintain speed and altitude so made the decision to return to Pukaki.

We estimate the winds were around 50knots and turbulent with the effect off the mountains causing massive downdraught, later we were to find these conditions were isolated to this area only. I was unable to maintain lift and sufficient directional control, our airspeed was reducing and despite using full power we were falling behind the power curve .

I was able to maintain enough control to avoid ground obstacles including the hill, trees and powerlines, shut everything down, briefed my passenger and effected a forced and heavy landing into a paddock where the machine hit a banked area and rolled.

I was able to free myself and then my passenger who was trapped in the aircraft. Once I had assessed my passenger and were assured there was no further danger I activated my ACR ResQLink+ PLB , my partner had also seen what was happening on our flight tracker and also alerted the emergency services. Very quickly the rescue coordination centre was in contact with us and were able to dispatch rescue services police, fire and ambulance  to our location as they had the beacon activation bearing . We also had an off duty fireman who had heard the call and a passing midwife assist at the scene . We were lucky to have only minor injuries and were transported to Tinaru hospital for treatment .

I am thankful that the ACR ResQLink+ beacon assisted the rescue services to efficiently direct the required help we needed to the accident site