A little update...doctors said I had an embolic stroke that hit both sides of my brain! In reviewing the ATC radio traffic, to me, anyway, the communication I had after getting permission to takeoff sounded a bit 'off', so I think it was starting then. FWIW, I remember lining up at the threshold and starting to pre-rotate the rotor, then nothing until I woke up in the ER maybe 4-5 hours later. From data I was able to pull, the plane hit 115mph (100Kt) before it drifted off the runway and the rotor tach showed enough speed to get off the ground. It appeared that I was just holding the stick full forward, which is why it didn't leave the ground until it hit the bump crossing taxiway C from the grass. Going to get a look at the thing tomorrow, and, hopefully, at least some of the electronics are salvageable. Will need to get a Rotax shop to download the info from the engine controller. Broke all four propellers off (carbon fiber ones) about 10" from the hub. Don't know when the engine stopped or if it over-revved. Ground adjustable propellers were adjusted for max on a hot day in northern Italy...in the cold and low density altitude, it had been maxing out at around 5300 which, with the 915is is plenty to get the thing climbing at close to 2000'/minute. Probably at least the gearbox is going to need major work and the engine may need a major overhaul...only about 10-hours on it. The plane is essentially trashed, otherwise. The airport manager said that when they got permission to move it to storage, the carbon fiber fuselage (the aeronautical steel frame is the only thing structural), it pretty much started to fall apart and his arms were covered in carbon fiber dust. They tried to lift it from the side, and essentially, the engine stayed put (the frame was bent and the boom sheared off)...had to go from the rear where they could get the engine to help lift it. I think that the fuselage acted like a big airbag as it crushed like the shell of a hard-boiled egg, absorbing lots of energy, which is probably one reason I'm still here. If it were something like a Cavalon, that has a much more pointed nose, that would have probably dug in and the g-forces much higher. The CF on the Magni is essentially just there to move the air around you and is flexible if you push on it, and only stiff around the doorframe and windshield because of the creases. FWIW, this airframe is certified most places in the world, but not (currently) in the USA.
Doctors say the probability of another stroke in 5-years, is around 24%. No prior warning signs for this one. If I fly again, it will be with a qualified safety pilot, which, on a gyroplane, is not that easy! It's not worth it to buy another as some of the fun is going places you can't drive to and taking a friend along for the ride.
