# NTSB WPR09CA109: Seher Bearhawk, N846BH, Reno, NV, February 5, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 5, 2009, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Reno, NV - Coordinates: 39.667221, -119.876113 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6672&lon=-119.8761&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 6, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA Reno FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73323 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA109 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73323/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA109 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident were a crosswind and the pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff. ## 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: [Seher Jacob Scott BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056253G), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Seher Jacob Scott BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=056253G), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Seher Jacob Scott BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=056253G), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Seher Jacob Scott BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=056253G), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Seher Jacob Scott BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056253G), [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. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Seher Jacob Scott BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056253G), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Seher Jacob Scott BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056253G), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Seher Jacob Scott BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=056253G), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was taking off with a right crosswind. As the tailwheel lifted off the asphalt runway, the airplane started veering to the left. He added right rudder and aileron in an attempt to correct back to the runway heading. As he was advancing the power through mid-range, the airplane continued veering to the left. He added full power, and tried to lift off before departing the runway surface. As the airplane exited the runway, the pilot reduced the power to idle. The airplane was slowing to a stop off the end of the runway when it encountered a small dip in the terrain and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and rudder. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airframe, flight controls, or engine. The pilot noted that shortly after the accident the winds picked up to 20 knots, and opined that he possibly encountered a strong gust. ## Factual narrative The pilot was taking off with a right crosswind. As the tail wheel lifted off the runway, the airplane started veering to the left. He added right rudder and aileron in an attempt to correct back to the runway heading. As he was advancing the power through the mid-range, the airplane continued veering to the left. He added full power, and tried to lift off before departing the runway surface. As the airplane exited the runway, the pilot reduced the power to idle. The airplane was slowing to a stop when it encountered a small dip in the terrain and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and rudder. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airframe, flight controls, or engine. The pilot noted that shortly after the accident the winds picked up to 20 knots, and opined that he possible encountered a strong gust. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N846BH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N846BH), registered now, S/N 066-127/128-931, built 2009 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Seher Bearhawk - Registry model: [Seher Jacob Scott BEARHAWK](https://openairdocs.org/model/seher-jacob-scott-bearhawk) (registry code 056253G) (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: 066-127/128-931 - Airframe hours: 3 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-EXP 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jacob Scott Seher - Registered owner: Jacob Scott Seher - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special); Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Condition, January 23, 2009, 3 hours before - Departed: 4SD, Reno, NV - Destination: 4SD, Reno, NV - Airport: 4SD, Reno Stead, runway 08, 7,608 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 7, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 17,780 total, 3 in this make and model, 17,500 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 13 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 16,000 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: KRNO, 11 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 20090205001239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090205001239A), Feb 5, 2009: Seher BEARHAWK, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. On the fifth takeoff of a newly certificated experimental-amateur built aircraft, the airplane veered left during the takeoff roll and exited runway 08… 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.