# NTSB ERA13CA415: Hawker Beechcraft G36, N771WG, Edgartown, MA, September 8, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 8, 2013, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Edgartown, MA
- Coordinates: 41.358333, -70.524444 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3583&lon=-70.5244&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 1, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 88043
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA415
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88043/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88043
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA415

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to achieve a proper takeoff profile prior to raising the landing gear resulting in a collision with terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hawker Beechcraft G36, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=4220009), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action sequence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hawker Beechcraft G36, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md?model=4220009), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Hawker Beechcraft G36, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=4220009), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Hawker Beechcraft G36, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=4220009), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, he utilized the checklist and set elevator trim to "almost neutral" with one notch of flaps for departure. During the takeoff roll, the pilot felt that the airplane wanted to lift off earlier than he was accustomed and he had to hold the nose down. When the pilot finally rotated the nose, the airplane "jumped up quicker than normal" and he kept the nose down. After the airplane began to increase airspeed and climb, the pilot raised the landing gear. The pilot then felt a gust of wind, and the airplane drifted to the left. The pilot corrected the airplane back to the runway heading, but it then began to descend. He pulled the power back and landed the airplane gear up on the grass airstrip, resulting in substantial damage to the lower fuselage. The pilot reported no preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. He also reported the wind as being from 20 degrees to the right of the runway at 14, gusting to 22 knots. According to a representative of the airplane manufacturer, landing gear retraction takes 3 to 6 seconds, and during the process, movement of the inboard landing gear doors creates additional parasitic drag. He also noted that in previous cases, pilots have taken off at lower airspeeds than normal then retracted the landing gear, which resulted in the airplane's settling back down to the surface instead of climbing.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he utilized the checklist and set elevator trim to "almost neutral" with one notch of flaps for departure. During the takeoff roll, the pilot felt that the airplane wanted to lift off earlier than he was accustomed and he had to hold the nose down. When the pilot finally rotated the nose, the airplane "jumped up quicker than normal" and he kept the nose down. After the airplane began to increase airspeed and climb, the pilot raised the landing gear. The pilot then felt a gust of wind, and the airplane drifted to the left. The pilot corrected the airplane back to the runway heading, but it then began to descend. He pulled the power back and landed the airplane gear up on the grass airstrip, resulting in substantial damage to the lower fuselage. The pilot reported no preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. He also reported the wind as being from 20 degrees to the right of the runway at 14, gusting to 22 knots. According to a representative of the airplane manufacturer, landing gear retraction takes 3 to 6 seconds, and during the process, movement of the inboard landing gear doors creates additional parasitic drag. He also noted that in previous cases, pilots have taken off at lower airspeeds than normal then retracted the landing gear, which resulted in the airplane's settling back down to the surface instead of climbing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N771WG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N771WG), registered now, S/N E-3835, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HAWKER BEECHCRAFT CORP G36 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Hawker Beechcraft G36](https://openairdocs.org/model/hawker-beechcraft-g36) (registry code 4220009) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-550-B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-b) (registry code 17208, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-3835
- Year built: 2008
- Airframe hours: 487
- Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-550-B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William J Greco
- Registered owner: William J Greco
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 24, 2012, 39 hours before
- Departed: 1B2, Edgartown, MA
- Destination: HFD, Hartford, CT
- Airport: 1B2, Katama Airpark, runway 24, 2,700 × 50 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 7, 2012; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 485.7 total, 166.3 in this make and model, 378.6 as pilot in command, 42.5 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 9 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.77 inHg
- Observed at: KMVY, 5 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 20130908018419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130908018419A), Sep 8, 2013: Hawker Beechcraft Corp G36, Edgartown, MA, Substantial damage. The pilot attempted a takeoff on runway 24 from Katama airpark, Edgartown, Massachusetts at approximately 1425 local time (1825 gmt). The turf runway (6/24) is…

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 21, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88043. 2.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403915&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 163 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403104&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- Memorandum of Record, Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 190 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403916&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record,%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum of Record, Beechcraft Corporation (item 4, .PDF, 187 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403845&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record,%20Beechcraft%20Corporation-Master.PDF
- Memorandum of Record, FAA Inspector (item 5, .PDF, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403112&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record,%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF
- Excerpt from Beechcraft G-36 Pilot's Operating Handbook: Takeoff and Climb Speeds (item 6, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403644&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20Beechcraft%20G-36%20Pilot%27s%20Operating%20Handbook%3A%20Takeoff%20and%20Climb%20Speeds-Master.PDF
- Photograph #1: View of Airplane from Left Forward Section (Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 147 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403107&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%231%3A%20View%20of%20Airplane%20from%20Left%20Forward%20Section%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.

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