# NTSB GAA19CA012: Bearden Biplane Sopwith Camel, N225JB, Bolivar, MO, October 7, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 7, 2018, 18:20 local (23:20 UTC) - Place: Bolivar, MO - Coordinates: 37.596111, -93.347778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5961&lon=-93.3478&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 5, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98436 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98436/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98436 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA012 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## 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: [Bearden Biplane SOPWITH CAMEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05637VL), [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: [Bearden Biplane SOPWITH CAMEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05637VL), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Bearden Biplane SOPWITH CAMEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=05637VL), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Bearden Biplane SOPWITH CAMEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05637VL), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Bearden Biplane SOPWITH CAMEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05637VL), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Bearden Biplane SOPWITH CAMEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05637VL), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bearden Biplane SOPWITH CAMEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05637VL), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Bearden Biplane SOPWITH CAMEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05637VL), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the landing, the tailwheel-equipped airplane touched down and veered left. The pilot attempted to correct with opposite rudder; however, the airplane continued left. He then attempted a go-around, but the airplane exited the runway, struck a ditch, and then nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during the landing, the tailwheel equipped airplane touched down and veered to the left. The pilot attempted to correct with opposite rudder, however the airplane continued left. He then attempted a go-around, but the airplane exited the runway and struck a ditch. The airplane subsequently nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N225JB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N225JB), registered now, S/N 63017, built 2018 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEARDEN BIPLANE SOPWITH CAMEL - Registry model: [Bearden Biplane SOPWITH CAMEL](https://openairdocs.org/model/bearden-biplane-sopwith-camel) (registry code 05637VL) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-A2B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-a2b) (registry code 42101, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 63017 - Year built: 2018 - Airframe hours: 3.24 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: M17, Bolivar, MO - Destination: M17, Bolivar, MO - Airport: M17, Bolivar Muni, runway 18, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; airline transport, flight engineer, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 30, 2018; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 18,400 total, 3 in this make and model, 14,587 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,100 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KSGF, 21 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 20181007016739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181007016739A), Oct 7, 2018: Bearden Biplane SOPWITH CAMEL, Bolivar, MO, Substantial damage. While landing on runway 18, the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft and departed the paved surface of the runway. The aircraft subsequently entered… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 11, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98436. 974 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 837 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470944&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470945&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.