# NTSB WPR13CA263: Garland Avipro Bearhawk, N540TH, Sheridan, WY, June 7, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 6, 2013, 19:30 local (Jun 7, 2013, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Sheridan, WY - Coordinates: 44.769165, -106.980278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7692&lon=-106.9803&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 87116 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA263 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87116/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87116 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA263 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in a stall and a loss of aircraft control during the initial takeoff. ## 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: [Garland Christopher J AVIPRO BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05631AI), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Garland Christopher J AVIPRO BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05631AI), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Garland Christopher J AVIPRO BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05631AI), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to return back to his home airport. He configured the airplane for a three-point takeoff and added full power. During the takeoff roll, the airplane began to veer to the left and subsequently became airborne. As the airplane ascended to about 50 feet above ground level (agl), the left wing dropped and subsequently struck the ground. The airplane was substantially damaged when it tumbled in a cartwheel-type maneuver with the right wing flipping over and striking the terrain. The airplane came to rest on its belly in a grassy area adjacent to the taxiway. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He noted that the wind was calm. He thought that the airplane initially veered left because of p-factor and his delay in recognizing this aerodynamic phenomenon. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to return back to his home airport. He configured the airplane for a three-point takeoff and added full power. During the takeoff roll, the airplane began to veer to the left and subsequently became airborne. As the airplane ascended to about 50 feet above ground level (agl), the left wing dropped and subsequently struck the ground. The airplane was substantially damaged when it tumbled in a cartwheel-type maneuver with the right wing flipping over and striking the terrain. The airplane came to rest on its belly in a grassy area adjacent to the taxiway. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He noted that the wind was calm. He thought that the airplane initially veered left because of p-factor and his delay in recognizing this aerodynamic phenomenon. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N540TH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N540TH-2018-01-05), registration cancelled 2018-01-05, S/N 029-43-44-590, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Garland Avipro Bearhawk - Registry model: [Garland Christopher J AVIPRO BEARHAWK](https://openairdocs.org/model/garland-christopher-j-avipro-bearhawk) (registry code 05631AI) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-540-L3C5D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-l3c5d) (registry code 42364, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 029-43-44-590 - Airframe hours: 81 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-L35D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Garland Air LLC - Registered owner: Garland Air LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: SHR, Sheridan, WY - Destination: BYG, Buffalo, WY - Airport: SHR, Sheridan County Airport, runway 23, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 4,326 total, 56 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg ## 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 20130606010119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130606010119A), Jun 6, 2013: Garland Christopher J AVIPRO BEARHAWK, Sheridan, WY, Substantial damage. On 06/06/13 at approx 1900 LCL N540TH, Avipro Bearhawk, sustained substantial damage after imacting the ground shortly after takeoff from Sheridan, WY (shr) 1… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 8, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87116. 719 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 719 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40395352&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.