# NTSB CEN23LA386: Silverlight AR-1, N57AR, Granbury, TX, August 20, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 20, 2023, 08:05 local (13:05 UTC) - Place: Granbury, TX - Coordinates: 32.353689, -97.67615 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3537&lon=-97.6762&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA North Texas FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 192960 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA386 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192960/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192960 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA386 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper takeoff procedure which resulted in a loss of control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Rickey L Dyer SR AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05640IF), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Rickey L Dyer SR AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=05640IF), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Rickey L Dyer SR AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05640IF), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Rickey L Dyer SR AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05640IF), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Rickey L Dyer SR AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05640IF), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Rickey L Dyer SR AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05640IF), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Rickey L Dyer SR AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=05640IF), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N57AR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57AR), registered now, S/N 0057, built 2021 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Silverlight AR-1 - Registry model: [Rickey L Dyer SR AR-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/rickey-l-dyer-sr-ar-1) (registry code 05640IF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: 0057 - Year built: 2021 - Engines: Rotax 912 ULS reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Draper Alan C - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Airport: 0TX1, Pecan Plantation, runway 1/19, 3,616 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; flight hours: 260 total, 30 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KGDJ, 9 nm away - METAR: KGDJ 201255Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 27/16 A3007 RMK AO2 T02690160 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20230820016009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230820016009A), Aug 20, 2023: Rickey L Dyer Sr AR-1, Pecan Plantatio, TX, Substantial damage. Two independent witnesses stated the pilot started the takeoff roll with the rotor in a horizontal position, instead of pitched back as required for the rotor… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 10, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192960. 847 KB in all. - Memorandum for record (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16422188&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20N57AR-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 473 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16421861&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photos%20N57AR-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� FAA (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 75 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16423027&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20N57AR%20FAA-Rel.pdf - FAA-H-8083-21 normal takeoff (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 236 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16423187&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA-H-8083-21%20Normal%20Takeoff-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.