# NTSB GAA15CA132: Ervin Rex H Bear Hawk, N939RE, Merrill, OR, June 21, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 21, 2015, 11:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Merrill, OR - Coordinates: 42.028888, -121.598335 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0289&lon=-121.5983&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 27, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Portland FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 91418 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA132 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91418/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91418 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA132 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground loop. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ervin Rex H BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05633GX), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Ervin Rex H BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05633GX), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Ervin Rex H BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05633GX), [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. - [Landing-landing roll: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Ervin Rex H BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05633GX), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Ervin Rex H BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05633GX), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Ervin Rex H BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05633GX), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, while on approach to a private grass air strip he observed the midfield wind sock indicating light and variable winds. After a normal approach and touch down, during the landing roll he encountered a strong crosswind from the right. Subsequently, the airplane began to swerve and then entered a ground loop to the left. During the ground loop, the right wing impacted the runway and the airplane came to rest. The pilot reported that after he exited the airplane, he observed a quartering tailwind at 15 miles per hour. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The right wing and elevator were substantially damaged in the accident. The reported winds at an airport 5 nautical miles away about the time of the accident were from a variable direction at 3 knots. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, while on approach to a private grass air strip he observed the midfield wind sock indicating light and variable winds. After a normal approach and touch down, during the landing roll he encountered a strong crosswind from the right. Subsequently, the airplane began to swerve and then entered a ground loop to the left. During the ground loop, the right wing impacted the runway and the airplane came to rest. The pilot reported that after he exited the airplane, he observed a quartering tailwind at 15 miles per hour. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The right wing and elevator were substantially damaged in the accident. The reported winds at an airport 5 nautical miles away about the time of the accident were from a variable direction at 3 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N939RE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N939RE-2017-07-14), registration cancelled 2017-07-14, S/N 778, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ERVIN REX H BEAR HAWK (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Ervin Rex H BEARHAWK](https://openairdocs.org/model/ervin-rex-h-bearhawk) (registry code 05633GX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 778 - Year built: 2015 - Airframe hours: 64 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-EXP 240 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 2, 2015 - Departed: 3U2, YELLOW PINE, ID - Destination: NONE, Klamath Falls, OR - Airport: NONE, Ervin Private Airstrip, runway 32, 2,400 × 50 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 9, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 6,000 total, 64 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Turbulence: Moderate - Observed at: KLMT, 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 20150621014029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150621014029A), Jun 21, 2015: Ervin Rex H BEARHAWK, Klamath Falls, OR, Substantial damage. The pilot arrived early to avoid forecast of high winds. Upon rollout from the landing, the aircraft encountered wind shear that forced a ground loop the pilot… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 10, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91418. 633 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 432 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429021&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429022&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Right Wing (Courtesy of Operator) (item 3, .PDF, 131 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429023&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Right%20Wing%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-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.