Silverlight AR-1 N159WT
29 June 2021 · Lakeside, Oregon, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 29 June 2021 at about 18:30 local time, a Silverlight AR-1 registered N159WT, operated by Chaplains of Industry, was involved in an accident near Lakeside, Oregon, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 18:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Lakeside, Oregon, United States
- Nearest airport
- Lakeside Muni (9S3)
- Coordinates
- 43.5832, -124.1804
- Aircraft
- Silverlight AR-1
- Registration
- N159WT
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2017
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Chaplains of Industry
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial Observation
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- WPR21LA252
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
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.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Silverlight AR-1 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Dec 2020 | Silverlight AR-1 | Heber City, Utah, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 3 Oct 2019 | Silverlight AR-1 | Fort Meade, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 20 Aug 2023 | Silverlight AR-1 | Granbury, Texas, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Oct 2021 | Zenith CH750 | Oregon City, Oregon, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 15 May 2021 | American Champion 8GCBC | Wallowa, Oregon, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 6 Dec 2021 | Piper PA-31-350 | Medford, Oregon, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 2 Oct 2021 | Interstate S-1A | Independence, Oregon, United States | Jeannes Flying Service LLC | No injuries | - |
| 9 Jan 2021 | Cessna 560 | Warm Springs, Oregon, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 9 Dec 2021 | Cessna P210N | Hillsboro, Oregon, United States | Coho Aviation LLC | No injuries | - |