# NTSB GAA17CA182: Pedersen Bjarne Martin Sportsman GS-2, N237PM, Robbinsville, NJ, March 9, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 9, 2017, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Robbinsville, NJ - Coordinates: 40.214168, -74.602775 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2142&lon=-74.6028&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 22, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94856 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA182 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94856/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94856 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA182 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Pedersen Bjarne Martin SPORTSMAN GS-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05634AX), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Pedersen Bjarne Martin SPORTSMAN GS-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05634AX), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Pedersen Bjarne Martin SPORTSMAN GS-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05634AX), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Pedersen Bjarne Martin SPORTSMAN GS-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05634AX), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Pedersen Bjarne Martin SPORTSMAN GS-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05634AX), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Pedersen Bjarne Martin SPORTSMAN GS-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05634AX), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Pedersen Bjarne Martin SPORTSMAN GS-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05634AX), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane veered off the runway to the left. He added that he applied rudder inputs and full power to arrest the veer but was unsuccessful. The airplane continued to veer off the runway and impacted a tree. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation located about 10 miles northwest of the airport reported that, about 7 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 280° at 14 knots, gusting to 21 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 29. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane veered off the runway to the left. He added that he applied rudder inputs and full power to arrest the veer, but was unsuccessful. The airplane continued to veer off the runway and impacted a tree. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation located about 10 miles north west of the accident airport reported that, about 7 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 280° at 14 knots, gusting to 21 knots. The airplane was landing runway 29. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N237PM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N237PM-2018-10-23), registration cancelled 2018-10-23, S/N 7423, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PEDERSEN BJARNE MARTIN SPORTSMAN GS-2 (FT) - Registry model: [Pedersen Bjarne Martin SPORTSMAN GS-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/pedersen-bjarne-martin-sportsman-gs-2) (registry code 05634AX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Thielert TAE125-02-114](https://openairdocs.org/engine/thielert-tae125-02-114) (registry code 59303, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 7423 - Year built: 2015 - Engines: Continental CD155 155 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: MTP, MONTAUK, NY - Destination: N87, Robbinsville, NJ - Airport: N87, Trenton-Robbinsville, runway 29, 4,275 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Data recorder, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, Electronic multifunction display, Stall warning system, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 9, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,365 total, 47.7 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 14 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KTTN, 10 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 20170309003309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170309003309A), Mar 9, 2017: Pedersen Bjarne Martin SPORTSMAN GS-2, Robbinsville, NJ, Destroyed. [privacy data omitted] Stated that he was flying into Trenton-Robbinsville Airport to pick up his friend who was dropping off an aircraft for an annual… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 23, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94856. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 993 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455595&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 797 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455596&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.