Trainee pilot died during maiden solo gyrocopter flight, instructor’s credentials revoked
Wednesday, 25 February 2026
A lack of training and experience have been identified as the key factors leading to the death of a Marlborough man during his maiden gyrocopter flight.
Martin James Dollar Pattie, 63, was killed in a crash on October 21, 2023 at Omaka Aerodrome in Blenheim.
It was the first time he had flown the aircraft solo. He had only purchased the gyrocopter the month before.
The resulting investigation into the crash, conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), found that the man teaching Pattie how to fly, Whangārei instructor Bernard Russell, had an invalid qualification at the time.
Russell had also signed off that Pattie had completed his first solo flight and practical test when these had not been done.
On Wednesday, Coroner Mary-Anne Borrowdale released her findings in the case, ruling Pattie had died from blunt force injuries.
The report outlined how Pattie had bought the gyrocopter in September 2023 and trained to pilot the aircraft over the course of one week.
He completed 10.2 hours of dual training alongside Russell.
Pattie, a farmer from Seddon, had also been mentored by the gyrocopter’s former owner Ray Patchett, who had flown it to the airfield on the day of the crash.
“Mr Patchett said that the gyrocopter was running ‘beautifully’ and he had no issues while flying the 12 minutes to the airfield,” the report said.
Before the flight, Russell was contacted, and he gave the go-ahead after receiving confirmation the conditions were good, and that the gyrocopter was in a good condition to fly.
Prior to getting into the pilot’s seat, Pattie was briefed by Patchett regarding the aircraft’s operating procedures.
“Once Mr Pattie was in the pilot’s seat, Mr Patchett watched, guided and maintained radio contact with him. He asked Mr Pattie to take off, do several laps and then come in to land.”
The report said upon takeoff the gyrocopter was “almost at once in difficulties”.
“It pitched up sharply, with a series of nose-up/nose-down oscillations. Mr Patchett advised Mr Pattie to reduce his control inputs, which appeared to help momentarily. Then the gyrocopter climbed by short, uneven steps.”
As the gyrocopter gained altitude, it drifted to the right.
It continued to climb steadily, until at 200 feet it rapidly rolled to the right and spiralled downwards.
“The gyrocopter was seen to hit the ground vertically and then to burst into flames.”
During a post-mortem, no smoke was found in Pattie’s lungs, indicating he had died prior to the fire taking hold.
The crash was referred to CAA, which found Pattie’s lack of sufficient training and experience were the main reasons for the crash.
They found he had not been adequately prepared for the difference in handling and performance characteristics between the training aircraft and the gyrocopter he was piloting.
Another factor was Russell’s “non-compliance” with CAA and Recreational Aircraft Association NZ rules for remote supervision.
He had an invalid qualification at the time of instructing Pattie and had signed off on the completion of a first solo flight and practical test when these had not been done.
“The CAA could not determine whether these faults were contributory to Mr Pattie’s death, but did not regard them as causative.”
CAA had since revoked Russell’s piloting and instructing certificates, finding that he was not a “fit and proper person” to perform those roles.
In releasing her findings, Borrowdale said an inquiry into the case was not required.
Pattie was well-known within rural circles in South Marlborough, and had been heavily involved in the community, including the Seddon Lions Club and as president of the Flaxbourne A&P Show committee.