Accident Details
On October 3, 2019, at approximately 1130 eastern daylight time, a Silverlight Aviation AR-1 Gyroplane, registration N463JW, was substantially damaged during an accident near Fort Meade, Florida. The aircraft was engaged in a solo cross-country instructional flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The student pilot, who was the sole occupant, was uninjured.
The pilot reported that about 45 minutes after departure, he heard a loud bang from the engine. Despite increasing power, the engine did not respond. After troubleshooting unsuccessfully, the pilot prepared for a forced landing as the gyroplane descended through 900 feet mean sea level. He selected a tall grass field that appeared clear of obstructions. The approach was normal, but during the landing flare, the gyroplane impacted tall grass reeds and settled into mud, tilting to the side. This allowed the rotor blades to contact the ground.
The pilot stated that he had obtained fuel from a gas station near the departure airport, a station he used frequently without prior issues.
Investigation Findings
Post-accident examination revealed substantial damage to the mast beam, rotor blades, and fuselage. The gyroplane was tilted to the right with the right landing gear submerged in mud. The engine and fuel tank remained above the mud and were intact, free of debris.
Further examination of the engine and fuel system showed no mechanical anomalies. However, when an attempt was made to run the engine, it failed to start and operate after several tries. Approximately 14 gallons of fuel were drained from the system, which contained about half a gallon of water and sediment contamination. After replacing the fuel with new fuel, the engine started and operated normally, producing power up to 5,100 rpm. Rapid throttle manipulation from open to closed revealed no irregularities.
The presence of water and sediment in the fuel system was consistent with the reported engine failure.