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GAA20CA044

2019-10-21 · Brooksville, Florida, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport BKV

Current FAA registration · N147AR

Make / Model
RICHARD B CARPENTER AR-1
Year of manufacture
2017 · 2 years old at event
Engine
ROTAX 912ULS SERIES (100 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20171019
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A0BCC1

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

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.

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. 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. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Prop/rotor parameters-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of equip/system-Pilot - C
  • F Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Delayed action-Pilot - F

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2019_GAA20CA044.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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