ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 345549
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| Date: | Sunday 20 August 2023 |
| Time: | 09:05 LT |
| Type: | SilverLight American Ranger AR-1 |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N57AR |
| MSN: | 0057 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2021 |
| Engine model: | Rotax 912 ULS |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Grandbury-Pecan Plantation Airport (0TX1), TX -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Take off |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Grandbury-Pecan Plantation Airport (0TX1), TX |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
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: The pilot's improper takeoff procedure which resulted in a loss of control during takeoff.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB CEN23LA386
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 14-Sep-2023 16:22 | aus | Added |
| 14-Sep-2023 16:23 | harro | Updated |
| 19-Sep-2023 12:12 | Captain Adam | Updated |
| 01-Feb-2024 11:49 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Operator, Other fatalities, Departure airport, Source, Narrative, Plane category] |
| 01-Feb-2024 11:51 | harro | Updated [Operator, Other fatalities, Location, Departure airport, Narrative] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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