History of Flight
On October 29, 2022, at approximately 1452 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Bearhawk Patrol airplane, registration N964RS, was substantially damaged during an accident near Hanover Township, Pennsylvania. The pilot and a pilot-rated passenger sustained fatal injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Witnesses reported that the pilot and passenger had departed Farmers Pride Airport earlier that day, visited Hazleton Regional Airport, and then proceeded to Wilkes-Barre Wyoming Valley Airport (WBW). At WBW, the pilot mentioned that the airplane had a rigging issue causing a lateral “kick” during turns and invited a friend to evaluate it. The friend flew for about 10 minutes and observed an odd yawing moment in turns. The pilot indicated he would address the issue during the winter. After refueling, the occupants intended to return to Farmers Pride Airport. Witnesses saw the pilot occupy the front seat and fasten his seatbelt and shoulder harness.
Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data showed the airplane departed WBW runway 25 about 1448. It turned slightly left, climbed to 1,700 ft mean sea level (msl), leveled off for 35 seconds, then descended to about 1,500 ft msl, where its altitude varied over two minutes. In the final seconds, the airplane descended 400 ft in less than 2 seconds. Witnesses reported that the airplane “rolled” then “bucked,” with the nose dipping initially before pitching up quickly. Several witnesses saw the pilot exit the airplane; one heard him strike the tail, and another observed him impact and then spiral off the tail. Both the pilot and airplane then descended to the ground.
Aircraft and Wreckage Information
The airplane was constructed with a fabric-covered steel tubular fuselage and tail, and an aluminum strut-braced wing. The wreckage was located in a grass field about 5.2 nautical miles southwest of WBW. A linear ground scar matching the left wing length extended from the wreckage center, oriented on a magnetic heading of 338°. The wings came to rest on a heading of 319°. A 1,900-ft-long debris path contained paint chips, the airworthiness certificate, cockpit Plexiglas, a tail rib section, and the pilot at 530 ft from the main wreckage.
Both wings were accordion-crushed aft and remained attached to the fuselage. The airframe structure aft of the cockpit was intact up to the tail, where the forward attachments of the vertical and horizontal stabilizers were fractured. The tail section was largely destroyed except for the left horizontal stabilizer with its elevator and trim tab attached. The engine was partially attached and embedded in an impact crater. The propeller hub remained on the crankshaft flange; both blades were separated, showing light rotational scratches and minimal leading-edge damage. No fire occurred, but fuel blight was observed.
Engine examination revealed no pre-impact anomalies. The crankshaft rotated with continuity, and compression was established on three cylinders after repair of an impact-damaged pushrod. The carburetor was separated but contained fuel; magnetos produced spark. The oil filter appeared clean.
Flight control continuity was established for ailerons and left rudder. However, the right rudder cable end loop was not attached to the clevis at the rudder control horn; the clevis was open with the pin nearby. Elevator trim cables were continuous but the right trim tab had separated. Examination of the tail tube by the NTSB Materials Laboratory showed all fractures were consistent with overstress, including downward bending of the horizontal stabilizer carry-through tube, attributed to impact with the pilot during flight.
The pilot seats remained on their rails. The forward seat had a lap belt and shoulder harness that were intact, unlatched, and undamaged. The rear seat lap belt was cut during recovery.
Medical and Toxicological Information
According to the autopsy report from the Luzerne County Coroner’s Office, the cause of death for the pilot was multiple traumatic injuries, and the manner of death was accident. Toxicology testing detected citalopram (an antidepressant) and its metabolite in the pilot’s heart blood and urine, as well as atorvastatin and terazosin (non-impairing medications). The FAA approves citalopram for use with a special issuance after six months of treatment and clinical stability, but the pilot had not applied. The pilot-rated passenger also died from multiple traumatic injuries; toxicology was negative for ethanol and tested drugs.
Probable Cause
The NTSB did not state a probable cause in the source.