Walter S Johnson Iii AR-1 N688G

Summary

On 11 June 2022 at about 16:35 local time, a Walter S Johnson Iii AR-1 registered N688G, operated by Beighey Mark W, was involved in an accident near Butler, Pennsylvania, United States. 2 people were 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.

Date

11 June 2022 at 16:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Butler, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Pittsburgh/Butler Rgnl (BTP)

Coordinates

40.7766, -79.9511

Aircraft

Walter S Johnson Iii AR-1

Registration

N688G

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2017

Engines

1

Operator

Beighey Mark W

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA22LA269

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to monitor rotor disk speed on takeoff, which resulted in blade flapping and the main rotor blades striking the gyroplane’s tail assembly.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot said the traffic pattern was busy, so he began the pre-rotation process as he taxied the gyroplane onto the runway to depart. At that time, the rotor disk rpm was at 140 rpm, which was 20 rpm above the recommended takeoff speed. The pilot said he slowly applied power because he had a passenger onboard, which may have allowed time for the disk speed to decay and become susceptible to blade flap. During the takeoff roll, the gyroplane’s main rotor blades struck and severed the tail assembly, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot said there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. 

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.