# NTSB ERA21LA025: Aero Bristell Bristell LSA, N438BL, Carlisle, PA, October 18, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 18, 2020, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Carlisle, PA - Coordinates: 40.188573, -77.178235 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1886&lon=-77.1782&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102164 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA025 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102164/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102164 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA025 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees during an attempted go-around in gusty crosswinds. ## 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: [BRM Aero S R O BRISTELL LSA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=06001BR), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [BRM Aero S R O BRISTELL LSA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=06001BR), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [BRM Aero S R O BRISTELL LSA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=06001BR), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [BRM Aero S R O BRISTELL LSA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=06001BR), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [BRM Aero S R O BRISTELL LSA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=06001BR), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was approaching the airport for landing, and while on short final approach he noticed that the airplane was too high and that there were variable and gusty crosswinds. The pilot decided to conduct a go-around. The pilot added power and pressed the control stick forward to prevent the airplane from pitching up as it gained airspeed. The pilot’s next recollection was seeing tree branches and the airplane descending in a nose down attitude into the woods. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N438BL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N438BL-2021-01-28), registration cancelled 2021-01-28, S/N 438/2019, built 2019 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aero Bristell Bristell LSA - Registry model: [BRM Aero S R O BRISTELL LSA](https://openairdocs.org/model/brm-aero-s-r-o-bristell-lsa) (registry code 06001BR) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912 IS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912-is-series) (registry code 55593, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 438 - Year built: 2019 - Airframe hours: 44 - Engines: Rotax 912 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 6, 2020, 16 hours before - Departed: RVL, Reedsville, PA - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: N94, Carlisle Airport, runway 10, 4,008 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Data recorder, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 9, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 460 total, 31 in this make and model, 387 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 7 knots, gusting 12 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F - Observed at: CXY, 15 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 20201018019019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201018019019A), Oct 18, 2020: Brm Aero S.R.O. BRISTELL LSA, Carlisle, PA, Destroyed. On 10-18-2020 at around 14:30 a bristell light sport aircraft crashed on the west side of runway 10 at Carlisle airport (N94). The aircraft was substantially… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 24, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102164. 8.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 6.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11627620&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1ntsb%20ACM_08_Nov_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness statements (item 2, PDF, 7 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11600997&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20statements_LA025_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 418 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11611265&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20LA025-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.