# NTSB GAA20CA044: Richard B Carpenter AR-1, N147AR, Brooksville, FL, October 21, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 21, 2019, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Brooksville, FL - Coordinates: 28.473611, -82.455558 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4736&lon=-82.4556&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100480 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA044 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100480/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100480 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA044 ## Probable cause 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 NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Richard B Carpenter AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=05636XH), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Richard B Carpenter AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05636XH), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Richard B Carpenter AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=05636XH), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Richard B Carpenter AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05636XH), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## 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. ## Factual narrative The gyroplane pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll, the 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 added that he did not configure the rotor speed according to the manufacturer's recommended value prior to takeoff and should have followed the checklist. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N147AR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N147AR), registered now, S/N 0016, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RICHARD B CARPENTER AR-1 - Registry model: [Richard B Carpenter AR-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/richard-b-carpenter-ar-1) (registry code 05636XH) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0016 - Year built: 2017 - Airframe hours: 190 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, February 19, 2019 - Departed: BKV, Brooksville, FL - Destination: BKV, Brooksville, FL - Airport: BKV, Brooksville-Tampa Bay Rgnl, runway 09, 7,001 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; sport pilot; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 19, 2019; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 259 total, 191 in this make and model, 204 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KBKV ## 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 20191021020319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191021020319A), Oct 21, 2019: Richard B Carpenter AR-1, Brooksville, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot was cleared for takeoff and initiated takeoff roll prior to having adequate rotor speed. When forward motion commenced the rotor flapped and struck the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 24, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100480. 593 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 415 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480215&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 178 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480216&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.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.