# NTSB WPR09CA240: Fagan BearHawk, N232PF, Hadley, NV, May 12, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 12, 2009, 13:05 local (20:05 UTC) - Place: Hadley, NV - Coordinates: 38.694168, -117.146942 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6942&lon=-117.1469&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 August 13, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73821 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA240 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73821/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73821 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA240 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusting crosswinds during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Fagan Patrick J BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=056143F), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Fagan Patrick J BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=056143F), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Fagan Patrick J BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056143F), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Fagan Patrick J BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=056143F), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/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: [Fagan Patrick J BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056143F), [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: [Fagan Patrick J BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056143F), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Fagan Patrick J BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056143F), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that prior to departure in his tailwheel-equipped airplane, the windsock was indicating strong winds perpendicular to the runway with variable gusts. He stated that he waited until he saw a favorable (headwind) gust and then applied takeoff power. During the takeoff roll, the airplane encountered a strong gust of wind from the right, which lifted the right wing and the left wing struck the runway. The airplane pivoted to the left, veered off the runway surface, and impacted a dirt berm. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. The nearest weather reporting station is located 38 nautical miles south of the accident airport, and was reporting winds at the time of the accident at 3.3 miles per hour (mph) gusting to 14.3 mph. ## Factual narrative In a written statement, the pilot reported that prior to departure in his tailwheel-equipped airplane, he observed the windsock. It was indicating strong winds perpendicular to the runway and variable gusts. He stated that he waited until he saw a favorable (headwind) gust and then applied takeoff power. During the takeoff roll, the airplane encountered a strong gust of wind from the right, which lifted the right wing and the left wing struck the runway. The airplane pivoted to the left, veered off the runway surface, and impacted a dirt berm. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. The nearest weather reporting station, located 38 nautical miles south of the accident airport, reported winds at the time of the accident were at 3.3 miles per hour (mph) gusting to 14.3 mph. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N232PF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N232PF), registered now, S/N BH232-7, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Fagan BearHawk - Registry model: [Fagan Patrick J BEARHAWK](https://openairdocs.org/model/fagan-patrick-j-bearhawk) (registry code 056143F) (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: BH232-7 - Airframe hours: 760 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B2B5 245 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Patrick J. Fagan - Registered owner: Patrick J. Fagan - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 1, 2008, 75 hours before - Departed: A36, Hadley, NV - Destination: A36, Hadley, NV - Airport: A36, Round Mountain, runway 17, 6,776 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 22, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 4,180 total, 760 in this make and model, 3,552 as pilot in command, 83 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 27 °F - Observed at: TPH, 38 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 20090512022319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090512022319A), May 12, 2009: Amtr BEARHAWK, Round Mountain, NV, Substantial damage. The pilot stated; he attempted takeoff when crosswind conditions existed. An abrupt change in the direction occurred just before liftoff and he was unable to… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73821. 648 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 648 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313760&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.