# NTSB WPR21LA252: SilverLight AR-1, N159WT, Lakeside, OR, June 29, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 29, 2021, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Lakeside, OR - Coordinates: 43.58317, -124.18039 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5832&lon=-124.1804&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 103372 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA252 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103372/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103372 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA252 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate decision to continue the takeoff after sufficient airspeed was not attained and his failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering to avoid obstructions, which resulted in a collision with the ground. ## 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: [Peter A Broussard AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05636IL), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Peter A Broussard AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05636IL), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Peter A Broussard AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05636IL), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Peter A Broussard AR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05636IL), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he departed from runway 33, which was composed of grass; there was no wind. During the takeoff roll, he was unable to get to an appropriate takeoff velocity. As he neared the end of the runway, he realized the gyrocopter would not clear the trees and at an altitude of about 20 ft agl, he attempted a left 180° turn back to the runway. The gyrocopter collided with the terrain still configured in the left turn. The forward fuselage of the gyrocopter was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot opined that he did not properly compensate for the drag from the grass and was not able to get enough airspeed to make an adequate takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N159WT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N159WT), registered now, S/N 0008, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SilverLight Aviation AR-1 - Registry model: [Peter A Broussard AR-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/peter-a-broussard-ar-1) (registry code 05636IL) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0008 - Year built: 2017 - Airframe hours: 203 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Chaplains Of Industry - Registered owner: Chaplains Of Industry - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 2021, 13 hours before - Airport: 9S3, Lakeside Muni, runway 15/33, 2,150 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; sport pilot; medical: sport pilot; last flight review October 27, 2020; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 239 total, 225,197 in this make and model, 161 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: KOTH, 11 nm away - METAR: KOTH 291856Z 22008KT 10SM OVC022 21/14 A2986 RMK AO2 SLP112 T02060144 ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 3, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103372. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12530643&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR21LA252%20Pilot%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photograph (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 227 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12452587&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Z-%20Attachment%2002%20-Photos-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.