Amateur-built AR-1 accident near Granbury, Texas, August 20, 2023
On August 20, 2023 at about 1:05 pm local time, a 2021 amateur-built AR-1 (helicopter), registered N57AR, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Granbury, Texas (Pecan Plantation airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper takeoff procedure which resulted in a loss of control during takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 20, 2023 · about 1:05 pm local time
- Place
- Granbury, Texas · Pecan Plantation · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AR-1, built 2021
- Registration
- N57AR · registry record · serial 0057
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff defining event
- Runway excursion during takeoff
- Abnormal runway contact during takeoff
- Landing gear collapse during takeoff
- Dragged wing/rotor/float/other during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Climb capability › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 260 hours in all; 30 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: unk
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 ULS (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Runway 1/19, 3,616 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 7:55 am from KGDJ, 9 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KGDJ 201255Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 27/16 A3007 RMK AO2 T02690160
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on January 10, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memorandum for Record | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record A�� FAA | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | FAA-H-8083-21 Normal Takeoff | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.