American Ranger AR-1, N147AR: Accident occurred October 21, 2019 at Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport (KBKV), Hernando County, Florida

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Tampa, Florida 

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N147AR

Location: Brooksville, FL

Accident Number: GAA20CA044

Date & Time: 10/21/2019, 0930 EDT

Registration: N147AR

Aircraft: RICHARD B CARPENTER AR-1

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Miscellaneous/other

Injuries: 1 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis 

The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll, the gyroplane's rotor "flapped" and struck the rudder. He aborted the takeoff and taxied to the ramp without further incident. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the gyroplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated that if he had aborted the takeoff at the first indication of a problem the accident could have been avoided.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot's failure to attain the proper rotor speed before takeoff, which resulted in the rotor blade striking the rudder. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to abort the takeoff in a timely manner.

Findings

Aircraft

Prop/rotor parameters - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues

Use of equip/system - Pilot (Cause)

Delayed action - Pilot (Factor)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Takeoff

Miscellaneous/other (Defining event) 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Sport Pilot

Age: 72, Male

Airplane Rating(s): None

Seat Occupied: Front

Other Aircraft Rating(s): Gyroplane

Restraint Used:

Instrument Rating(s): None

Second Pilot Present: No

Instructor Rating(s): None

Toxicology Performed:No 

Medical Certification: Sport Pilot Without Waivers/Limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam:10/10/2019 

Occupational Pilot: No

Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 01/19/2019

Flight Time:  (Estimated) 259 hours (Total, all aircraft), 191 hours (Total, this make and model), 204 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 12 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: RICHARD B CARPENTER

Registration: N147AR

Model/Series: AR-1

Aircraft Category: Gyroplane

Year of Manufacture: 2017

Amateur Built: Yes

Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental Light Sport

Serial Number:0016

Landing Gear Type: Tricycle

Seats:2 

Date/Type of Last Inspection: 02/19/2019, Continuous Airworthiness

Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1500 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection:

Engines: 1 Reciprocating

Airframe Total Time: 190 Hours as of last inspection

Engine Manufacturer: Rotax

ELT: Not installed

Engine Model/Series: 912ULS

Registered Owner: On file

Rated Power: 100 hp

Operator: On file

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KBKV, 77 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 1353 UTC

Direction from Accident Site: 74°

Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 1500 ft agl

Visibility:   10 Miles

Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 8000 ft agl

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None

Wind Direction:90° 

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A

Altimeter Setting: 29.99 inches Hg

Temperature/Dew Point: 23°C / 20°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation

Departure Point: Brooksville, FL (BKV)

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Destination: Brooksville, FL (BKV)

Type of Clearance: None

Departure Time: 0930 EST

Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: Brooksville-Tampa Bay Rgnl (BKV)

Runway Surface Type: Concrete

Airport Elevation:76 ft 

Runway Surface Condition: Dry

Runway Used:09

IFR Approach:None 

Runway Length/Width: 7001 ft / 150 ft

VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: N/A

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: N/A

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 None

Latitude, Longitude: 28.473611, -82.455556 (est)