# NTSB GAA17CA016: Robinson Stewart J Bearhawk, N507SR, Calhan, CO, October 7, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 7, 2016, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Calhan, CO - Coordinates: 39.049999, -104.293052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0500&lon=-104.2931&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 5, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94185 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94185/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94185 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA016 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## 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: [Robinson Stewart J BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05620GM), [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: [Robinson Stewart J BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05620GM), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Robinson Stewart J BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=05620GM), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/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: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Robinson Stewart J BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05620GM), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Robinson Stewart J BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05620GM), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Stewart J BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05620GM), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Robinson Stewart J BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05620GM), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during a touch-and-go landing on a turf airstrip, he applied power for takeoff, the airplane drifted left, and he applied right aileron and left rudder. As the airplane accelerated, it began drifting farther left until it departed the runway onto the grass. The pilot reported that the airspeed was about 60 mph and that he felt he could fly out of the situation. However, he realized the airplane was approaching a hill with trees and a house too quickly and would not clear the trees. He then applied right rudder and the airplane turned 90° toward the runway and began to skid. The airplane skidded across the runway and hit a ditch. The left landing gear collapsed followed by the right, and the airplane skidded to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 14 miles southwest of the accident site revealed that, at 1255, the wind was from 190° at 13 knots, gusting to 21 knots. The airplane landed on runway 17. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during a touch-and-go landing on a turf airstrip, he applied power for takeoff, the airplane drifted left, and he applied right aileron and left rudder. As the airplane accelerated it began drifting further left until it departed the runway to the left onto the grass. The pilot reported that the airspeed was about 60 mph and that he felt he could fly out of the situation. However, he realized the airplane was approaching a hill with trees and a house too quickly and would not clear the trees. He then applied right rudder and the airplane turned 90 degrees to the runway and began to skid. The airplane skidded crossed the runway and hit a ditch. The left landing gear collapsed followed by the right, and the airplane skidded to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 14 miles to the southwest, revealed that, at 1255 MDT, conditions were wind 190 degrees true at 13 knots, gusting to 21 knots. The airplane landed on runway 17. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N507SR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N507SR-2018-11-06), registration cancelled 2018-11-06, S/N 003-5/6-507, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON STEWART J BEARHAWK (4 Place) - Registry model: [Robinson Stewart J BEARHAWK](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-stewart-j-bearhawk) (registry code 05620GM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 003-5/6-507 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 39.5 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: September 21, 2016 - Departed: LIC, LIMON, CO - Destination: 5V4, Calhan, CO - Airport: 5V4, Calhan, runway 17, 4,565 × 50 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 23, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 11,300 total, 50 in this make and model, 7,800 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 13 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.37 inHg - Observed at: KFLY, 14 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 20161007019969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161007019969A), Oct 7, 2016: Robinson Stewart J BEARHAWK, Calhan, CO, Substantial damage. On October 7, 2016, at approximately 1430 mountain standard time (MST), N507SR, a 2015 Bearhawk experimental home built aircraft was substantially damaged when… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 8, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94185. 418 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 258 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456543&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 160 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452959&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%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. --- 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.