ARCHIVED - Pilot lands gyroplane on Alicante road and travels several kilometres to refuel
The man, 38, was flying a rotorcraft from Córdoba to Mutxamel in Alicante province when he hit fuel problems
A pilot has been fined by the Guardia Civil for landing his gyroplane on a main road in the Alicante town of Castalla and travelling several kilometres in search of a petrol station.
The thirty-eight-year-old had left Fuente Obejuna aerodrome in Cordoba and was heading for Muxamel in Alicante province, when he began experiencing fuel problems and decided to land in Castalla and refuel at a Repsol station.
The bizarre scenes on the CV-815 on September 2 were filmed by a motorist who uploaded the video onto his social networks – a move which proved to be the pilot’s undoing.
Officers from the Guardia Civil's Aeronautical Management and Operational Security Specialist Police (PEGASO) quickly picked up on the post and through the registration, along with subsequent inquiries at the petrol station and aerodromes in and around the area, were able to identify the pilot.
The pilot told police he had informed the Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC) what had happened, but did not know if he was supposed to notify anyone else.
PEGASO has reported him to the Provincial Traffic Headquarters of Alicante for a violation of the General Traffic Regulations, reckless driving, and for driving a vehicle without the corresponding administrative authorisation.
In addition, the State Aviation Safety Agency has been notified, which may lead to further sanctions.
PEGASO teams typically perform functions related to general aviation, including drones, and provide technical support to other police units in the event of aerial accidents.
Image: Guardia Civil