# NTSB GAA20CA064: New Glasair Sportsman GS-2, N24EP, Huntsville, AR, November 9, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 9, 2019, 09:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Huntsville, AR - Coordinates: 36.078056, -93.754997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0781&lon=-93.7550&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 16, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100550 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100550/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100550 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA064 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain proper pitch control during takeoff from a muddy, turf runway and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [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. - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll from a wet, turf runway, the airplane encountered mud and veered left. He applied aft pressure to the stick, and the airplane climbed into ground effect. The pilot pulled up and attempted to climb out of ground effect, but the airplane descended and impacted trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll from a wet turf runway, the airplane encountered mud, and veered left. He applied aft pressure to the stick and the airplane climbed into ground-effect. The pilot "pulled up" and attempted to climb out of ground effect, but the airplane descended and collided with trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: N24EP (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: New Glasair SPORTSMAN GS-2 (No Series) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 7466 - Year built: 2018 - Airframe hours: 62 - Engines: Lycoming YIO-390-EXP 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Bray-Bryn Llc - Registered owner: Bray-Bryn Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 1, 2019 - Departed: H34, Huntsville, AR - Destination: 3M0, Lakeview, AR - Airport: H34, Huntsville Muni, runway 21, 1,250 × 60 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 9, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 711 total, 32 in this make and model, 711 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KASG, 18 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 20191109020919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191109020919A), Nov 9, 2019: Bray-Bryn LLC SPORTSMAN GS-2, Huntsville, AR, Destroyed. On November 9, 2019 at approximately 0910 CST, N24EP a Bray-Bryn LLC, sportsman GS-2 experimental operating amateur built aircraft, registered to Bray-Bryn LLC… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 30, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100550. 3.6 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=40480380&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 219 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480381&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.