# NTSB GAA18CA206: Bice David E Bearhawk, N1685, Edgewood, NM, April 10, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 10, 2018, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Edgewood, NM
- Coordinates: 35.094722, -106.164443 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0947&lon=-106.1644&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: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 97011
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA206
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97011/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97011
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA206

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing.

## 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: [Bice David E BEARHAWK, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05623OC), [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: [Bice David E BEARHAWK, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05623OC), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: [Bice David E BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05623OC), [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: [Bice David E BEARHAWK, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05623OC), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped, experimental, amateur-built airplane, during landing, the airplane encountered a left crosswind gust. The pilot lost directional control of the airplane, and it exited the left side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar. The METAR nearest the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was light and variable at 3 knots; there were no reported gusts. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped, experimental amateur-built airplane, during landing the airplane encountered a left crosswind gust. The pilot lost directional control of the airplane and exited the left side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to right wing spar. The METAR nearest the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident the wind was light and variable at 3 knots. There were no reported gusts and the ceiling was broken at 30,000 feet. The temperature was 63°F and the dew point was 19°F. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1685](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1685), registered now, S/N 030-53/54-704, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BICE DAVID E BEARHAWK (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Bice David E BEARHAWK](https://openairdocs.org/model/bice-david-e-bearhawk) (registry code 05623OC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 030-53/54-704
- Year built: 2008
- Airframe hours: 359
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lane Aviation LLC.
- Registered owner: Lane Aviation LLC.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 2018
- Departed: 1N1, Edgewood, NM
- Destination: 1N1, Edgewood, NM
- Airport: 1N1, Sandia Airpark Estates East, runway 27, 4,830 × 30 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, Electronic multifunction display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 22, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,369 total, 11 in this make and model, 1,369 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.34 inHg
- Observed at: KABQ, 22 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 20180410010489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180410010489A), Apr 10, 2018: Bice David E BEARHAWK, Edgewood, NM, Substantial damage. On April 10, 2018 about 1225 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Bearhawk 4-place experimental single-engine airplane, N1685, ran off the edge of the runway during…

## Other investigations on N1685 (2)

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.

- [NTSB WPR24LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA128), Apr 20, 2024: Bearhawk 4-Place (N1685), Buckhorn, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inflight loss of control during landing following an encounter with a wind gust which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB DEN08CA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08CA164), Sep 27, 2008: Bice David E Bearhawk (N1685), Double Eagle Airport, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot flared high and failed to maintain directional control. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's unfamiliarity with the airplane and the crosswind.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 28, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97011. 3.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466090&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - No Photos (item 2, .PDF, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466091&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20No%20Photos-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.

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