Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Silverlight AR-1KC, N65PC: Accident occurred February 20, 2022 at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (KSRQ), Florida

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. 

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Tampa, Florida

Baby Bird Aviation LLC


Location: Sarasota, Florida
Accident Number: ERA22LA134
Date and  Time: February 20, 2022, 14:45 Local
Registration: N65PC
Aircraft: SPANGENBERG AR-1KC 
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On February 20, 2022, about 1445 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built AR1KC gyrocopter, N65PC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), Sarasota, Florida. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The gyrocopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll she felt a severe vibration just prior to becoming airborne. She immediately aborted the takeoff and reduced power with aft cyclic still applied. The gyrocopter entered a steep nose high attitude and the main rotors flapped and struck the top of the vertical stabilizer. The gyrocopter went off the left side of the runway and landed hard, which resulted in substantial damage to the rudder. The pilot also reported that the nose wheel separated from the gyrocopter and was found in the middle of the runway.

Post-accident visual examination of the nosewheel revealed it separated at a weld point. It was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: SPANGENBERG 
Registration: N65PC
Model/Series: AR-1KC 
Aircraft Category: Gyroplane
Amateur Built: Yes
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: SRQ,30 ft msl 
Observation Time: 19:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: 0°C /0°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots / , 100°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.19 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Sarasota, FL
Destination: Sarasota, FL

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor 
Latitude, Longitude: 27.395444,-82.554389

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