# NTSB ERA19LA157: Barrows Bearhawk LSA, N289EH, Holly Springs, NC, April 22, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 22, 2019, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Holly Springs, NC - Coordinates: 34.491111, -77.531112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4911&lon=-77.5311&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 99312 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA19LA157 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99312/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99312 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA157 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during the visual approach. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robert E Barrows BEARHAWK LSA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=056309T), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robert E Barrows BEARHAWK LSA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=056309T), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robert E Barrows BEARHAWK LSA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=056309T), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Robert E Barrows BEARHAWK LSA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=056309T), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robert E Barrows BEARHAWK LSA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056309T), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Robert E Barrows BEARHAWK LSA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=056309T), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while on final approach for landing, the airplane impacted powerlines and collided with the ground, resulting in substantial damage. He stated that he knew of the powerlines, but stated that he had not checked the airport/facility directory, which noted the placement and height of the powerlines. Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of airport information revealed that the powerlines were located 50 ft from the runway threshold and were 60 ft tall. The accident is consistent with the pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a known obstacle during the landing approach. ## Factual narrative On April 22, 2019, about 1500 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Bearhawk LSA, N289EH, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Holly Ridge, North Carolina. The private pilot received serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, while on final approach to his destination airport, he noticed a line of trees. After clearing the trees, he started his decent to runway 14. While on short final, the airplane became entangled in the powerlines and collided with the ground. The pilot stated that he knew of the powerlines, but thought they may have been raised. He said that he had not checked the airport/facility directory before the flight, which noted the placement and height of the powerlines. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane was intact and came to rest on its nose. The nose of the airplane was crushed aft and both wings displayed leading edge crush damage. He did not observe any anomalies with the flight controls. Review of airport information revealed that the powerlines were located 50 ft from the runway 14 threshold and were 60 ft tall. Runway 14 had a displaced threshold with an approach slope ratio of 1:1 in order to clear the powerlines. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N289EH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N289EH), registered now, S/N 195611, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BARROWS Bearhawk LSA - Registry model: [Robert E Barrows BEARHAWK LSA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robert-e-barrows-bearhawk-lsa) (registry code 056309T) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A75-9](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a75-9) (registry code 17080, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 195611 - Year built: 2012 - Engines: Continental O-200 series 125 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: VA04, Fincastle, VA - Destination: N21, Holly Ridge, NC - Airport: N21, Holly Ridge/Topsail Island, runway 14, 3,600 × 88 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 19, 2018; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,500 total, 400 in this make and model, 5,500 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Observed at: KNCA ## 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 20190422003239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190422003239A), Apr 22, 2019: Robert E Barrows BEARHAWK LSA, Holly Ridge, NC, Substantial damage. N289EH was too low on approach to runway N21 and struck unmarked power lines. The aircraft became entangled in the power lines and hit the ground nose first at… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 9, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99312. 6.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8034874&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%2019TA157_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8035497&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20pilot%20statement%20ERA19TA157-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector's statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8035539&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20FAA%20inspector%20statement%20ERA19TA157-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 512 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8035029&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20array%20TA157-Rel.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.