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Location:
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Granbury, Texas
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Accident Number:
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CEN23LA386
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Date & Time:
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August 20, 2023, 08:05 Local
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Registration:
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N57AR
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Aircraft:
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Silverlight AR-1
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Defining Event:
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Loss of control in flight
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Injuries:
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1 Serious
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Flight Conducted Under:
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Part 91: General aviation - Personal
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Analysis
According to two witnesses, the pilot of the gyroplane started his takeoff roll with the rotor in a horizontal position. Both witnesses stated that the gyroplane’s take off roll was longer than usual. When the pilot pitched the rotor up, the gyroplane pitched up, climbed about 30 to 40 ft above the ground, rolled to the left, and subsequently impacted the runway. The left main landing gear separated from the gyroplane after impacting the runway, and the gyroplane departed the runway to the left. The gyroplane came to rest about 1,400 ft from its departure point. The pilot was seriously injured. During the runway excursion, the gyroplane’s rotor impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to the rotor, horizontal stabilizer, vertical stabilizer, and rudder.
The pilot stated via telephone that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did not provide an NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report.
According to FAA-H-8083-21 Rotorcraft Flying Handbook, “The normal takeoff for most amateur-built gyroplanes is accomplished by prerotating to sufficient rotor r.p.m. to prevent blade flapping and tilting the rotor back with cyclic control. Using a speed of 20 to 30 m.p.h., allow the rotor to accelerate and begin producing lift. As lift increases, move the cyclic forward to decrease the pitch angle on the rotor disc.” It is likely the pilot did not position the rotor at the appropriate pitch angle to allow the main rotor to reach sufficient takeoff rpm before attempting to takeoff.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot’s improper takeoff procedure which resulted in a loss of control during takeoff.
Findings
Personnel issues: Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft: Climb capability - Not attained/maintained
Factual Information
History of Flight
Takeoff Loss of control in flight (Defining event)
Takeoff Abnormal runway contact
Takeoff Landing gear collapse
Takeoff Runway excursion
Takeoff Dragged wing/rotor/float/other
Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Private
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Age:
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72,Male
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Airplane Rating(s):
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Single-engine land
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Seat Occupied:
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Unknown
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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None
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Restraint Used:
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Unknown
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Instrument Rating(s):
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None
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Second Pilot Present:
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|
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Instructor Rating(s):
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None
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Toxicology Performed:
|
|
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Medical Certification:
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None None
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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|
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Occupational Pilot:
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UNK
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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|
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Flight Time:
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(Estimated) 260 hours (Total, all aircraft), 30 hours (Total, this make and model)
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Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make:
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Silverlight
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Registration:
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N57AR
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|
Model/Series:
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AR-1
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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|
Year of Manufacture:
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2021
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Amateur Built:
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Yes
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Experimental (Special)
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Serial Number:
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0057
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Landing Gear Type:
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Tricycle
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Seats:
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2
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Date/Type of Last
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|
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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1200 lbs
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Inspection:
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|
|
|
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Time Since Last Inspection:
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Engines:
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1 Reciprocating
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Airframe Total Time:
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Engine Manufacturer:
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Rotax
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ELT:
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Engine Model/Series:
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912 ULS
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Registered Owner:
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DRAPER ALAN C
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Rated Power:
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|
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Operator:
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On file
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Operating Certificate(s)
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None
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|
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Held:
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Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
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Conditions at Accident Site:
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Visual (VMC)
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Condition of Light:
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Day
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|
Observation Facility, Elevation:
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KGDJ,778 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
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9 Nautical Miles
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|
Observation Time:
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07:55 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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307°
|
|
Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Clear
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Visibility
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10 miles
|
|
Lowest Ceiling:
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None
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Visibility (RVR):
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|
|
Wind Speed/Gusts:
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/
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Turbulence Type
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None / None
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|
|
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Forecast/Actual:
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|
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Wind Direction:
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Turbulence Severity
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N/A / N/A
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|
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Forecast/Actual:
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|
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Altimeter Setting:
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30.07 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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27°C / 16°C
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Precipitation and Obscuration:
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No Obscuration; No Precipitation
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|
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Departure Point:
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Granbury, TX
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
|
|
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Destination:
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Type of Clearance:
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None
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|
Departure Time:
|
|
Type of Airspace:
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Class G
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Airport Information
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Airport:
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PECAN PLANTATION 0TX1
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Runway Surface Type:
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Asphalt
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Airport Elevation:
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712 ft msl
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Runway Surface Condition:
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|
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Runway Used:
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1/19
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IFR Approach:
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None
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Runway Length/Width:
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3616 ft / 50 ft
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VFR Approach/Landing:
|
|
Wreckage and Impact Information
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Crew Injuries:
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1 Serious
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Passenger
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N/A
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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|
Injuries:
|
|
|
|
|
Ground Injuries:
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N/A
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
|
|
Total Injuries:
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1 Serious
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Latitude,
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32.353689,-97.67615
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|
|
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Longitude:
|
|
Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Rutt, Brian
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Additional Participating
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Gary Watson; FAA North Texas FSDO
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Persons:
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|
|
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Original Publish Date:
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January 10, 2024
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Investigation Class:
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Class 4
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Note:
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The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.
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Investigation Docket:
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https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192960
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