# NTSB CEN19LA116: Berkey S-6ES, N265GB, Lafe, AR, April 2, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 2, 2019, 17:32 local (22:32 UTC) - Place: Lafe, AR - Coordinates: 36.204444, -90.548889 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2044&lon=-90.5489&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 99219 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN19LA116 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99219/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99219 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA116 ## Probable cause The non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate glidepath while landing toward the sun, which resulted in impact with vegetation and a subsequent loss of control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Berkey Gary S-6ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=05607PJ), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Berkey Gary S-6ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05607PJ), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Berkey Gary S-6ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=05607PJ), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Berkey Gary S-6ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=05607PJ), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Berkey Gary S-6ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=05607PJ), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Berkey Gary S-6ES, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05607PJ), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The noncertificated pilot reported that, while on approach for landing at the private turf runway, he was "blinded by the sun" and allowed the airplane to descend too low. The tailwheel hit vines growing near the runway, and the left wing subsequently impacted the ground, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane and added that the accident may have been prevented by landing at a different time or by clearing the vegetation around the runway. ## Factual narrative On April 2, 2019, about 1732 central daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Berkey S-6ES airplane, impacted vegetation on final approach at a private turf airstrip near Lafe, Arkansas. The pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The flight originated from the Blytheville Municipal Airport (HKA), Blytheville, Arkansas, about 1700. The private airstrip was the intended destination. The pilot reported that he was relocating the airplane from HKA to be based at the private airstrip which was closer to his home. He made one low pass over the field before returning to land. On final approach, he was "blinded by [the] sun" and the tailwheel hit vines growing near the airstrip which caused the airplane to stall. The left wing struck the ground resulting the substantial damage. In addition, the left main landing gear and propeller were damaged during the hard landing. The pilot noted that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane. He added that the accident might have been prevented by either landing at a later time so that the sun would not have "blinded" him or by clearing the vegetation near the runway to ground level. Information received from the Federal Aviation Administration indicated that the pilot did not hold a current pilot or medical certificate at the time of the accident. The pilot was initially issued a combined third-class medical and student pilot certificate in August 1994 by an aviation medical examiner. However, upon further review by the FAA, additional information unrelated to any medical deficiency was requested from the pilot. When the requested information was not received, the pilot was determined to be ineligible for a medical certificate and the application was denied. No other medical or pilot certificate applications were on file. The airplane was issued an experimental airworthiness certificate and met the requirements for operation as a light sport airplane. Regulations required pilot and medical certification in order to operate the airplane. Specifically, any individual operating a light sport airplane must hold a sport pilot or higher level of certification, or a current student pilot certificate with the applicable endorsements. In addition, a light sport airplane may be operated based on a valid driver's license provided the pilot was determined to be eligible for a medical certificate at the time of his/her most recent application, and not had his/her most recently issued medical certificate suspended or revoked. Because the pilot did not hold a current pilot certificate, nor did he meet the medical certification requirements, he was not legally authorized to act as pilot-in-command of the airplane at the time of theaccident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N265GB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N265GB-2020-09-04), registration cancelled 2020-09-04, S/N 04991312, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BERKEY S-6ES - Registry model: [Berkey Gary S-6ES](https://openairdocs.org/model/berkey-gary-s-6es) (registry code 05607PJ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 04991312 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 5224 - Engines: Rotax 912 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 2, 2013 - Departed: HKA, Blytheville, AR - Destination: PVT, Lafe, AR - Airport: PVT, Private, runway 27, 1,200 × 40 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 82 total, 82 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 0.5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: 4M9, 13 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20190402015449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190402015449A), Apr 2, 2019: Berkey Gary S-6ES, Lafe, AR, Substantial damage. On April 2nd 2019, a non-certificated airmen with a denied medical dated 08/30/1994 flying an experimental ameture built S-6ES crashed during landing. Airmen… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 13, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99219. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 905 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472821&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA Medical Division (item 2, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472822&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Medical%20Division-Master.PDF - Airplane Specification Sheet (item 3, .PDF, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472823&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Specification%20Sheet-Master.PDF - FAA Regulation (61.303) - Operating Light Sport Aircraft (item 4, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472824&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Regulation%20(61.303)%20-%20Operating%20Light%20Sport%20Aircraft-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.