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April 2, 2019 · Berkey S-6ES · N265GB

Lafe, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 2, 2019
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Lafe, AR
Aircraft
Berkey S-6ES (1999)
Tail Number
N265GB
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN19LA116

The noncertificated pilot reported that, while on approach for landing at the private turf runway, he was "blinded by the sun" and allowed the airplane to descend too low. The tailwheel hit vines growing near the runway, and the left wing subsequently impacted the ground, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane and added that the accident may have been prevented by landing at a different time or by clearing the vegetation around the runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

The non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate glidepath while landing toward the sun, which resulted in impact with vegetation and a subsequent loss of control.

Full Narrative

On April 2, 2019, about 1732 central daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Berkey S-6ES airplane, impacted vegetation on final approach at a private turf airstrip near Lafe, Arkansas. The pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The flight originated from the Blytheville Municipal Airport (HKA), Blytheville, Arkansas, about 1700. The private airstrip was the intended destination. The pilot reported that he was relocating the airplane from HKA to be based at the private airstrip which was closer to his home. He made one low pass over the field before returning to land. On final approach, he was "blinded by [the] sun" and the tailwheel hit vines growing near the airstrip which caused the airplane to stall. The left wing struck the ground resulting the substantial damage. In addition, the left main landing gear and propeller were damaged during the hard landing. The pilot noted that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane. He added that the accident might have been prevented by either landing at a later time so that the sun would not have "blinded" him or by clearing the vegetation near the runway to ground level. Information received from the Federal Aviation Administration indicated that the pilot did not hold a current pilot or medical certificate at the time of the accident. The pilot was initially issued a combined third-class medical and student pilot certificate in August 1994 by an aviation medical examiner. However, upon further review by the FAA, additional information unrelated to any medical deficiency was requested from the pilot. When the requested information was not received, the pilot was determined to be ineligible for a medical certificate and the application was denied. No other medical or pilot certificate applications were on file. The airplane was issued an experimental airworthiness certificate and met the requirements for operation as a light sport airplane. Regulations required pilot and medical certification in order to operate the airplane. Specifically, any individual operating a light sport airplane must hold a sport pilot or higher level of certification, or a current student pilot certificate with the applicable endorsements. In addition, a light sport airplane may be operated based on a valid driver's license provided the pilot was determined to be eligible for a medical certificate at the time of his/her most recent application, and not had his/her most recently issued medical certificate suspended or revoked. Because the pilot did not hold a current pilot certificate, nor did he meet the medical certification requirements, he was not legally authorized to act as pilot-in-command of the airplane at the time of the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:32 CDT
Nearest AirportPRIVATE (0nm E)
Runway27
Runway Length1200 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBerkey S-6ES
Tail NumberN265GB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912 · Reciprocating · 80
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 37 C
Altimeter30.09 inHg
Observation Time22:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data