P&M Aviation LTD. PULSR accident near Gulf Shores, Alabama, April 16, 2015
On April 16, 2015 at about 5:30 pm local time, a 2015 P&M Aviation LTD. PULSR (weight-shift aircraft), registered N415PM, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Gulf Shores, Alabama (Jack Edwards airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a collision with the ground.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 16, 2015 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Gulf Shores, Alabama · Jack Edwards · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- P&M Aviation LTD. PULSR, built 2015
- Registration
- N415PM · registry record · serial 8705
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was conducting his first flight in the new light-sport weight-shift control aircraft, which he purchased about 1 month prior. During the takeoff roll, he inadvertently applied a right steering control input and then over-corrected to the left. The left wing contacted the ground, and the aircraft rolled over onto its left side, which resulted in substantial wing and fuselage damage. The pilot reported that he did not experience any preaccident malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. He further reported about 1,200 hours of total fight experience, which included about 1,000 hours in similar weight-shift control aircraft.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private, sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,200 hours in all; 990 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 1,150 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 10, 2015
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2 hours
- Maximum gross weight: 990 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 ULS (piston); 2 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: JKA Gulf Shores AL at 5:30 pm
- Destination: JKA Gulf Shores AL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 09, 6,962 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 0 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 5:35 pm from JKA
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on July 28, 2015. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Airplane Airworthiness Certificate and Bill of Sale | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photo 1 – Post-accident View of the Airplane (Courtesy of the FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.