N717AT accident

NTSB GAA16CA050 · 2015-11-13 · Bowstring, MN · near 9Y0

Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant

Summary

The pilot reported that while taking off with 20 degrees of flaps from a grass airstrip, the airplane rotated about 50 knots and climbed to an altitude of about 80 feet above the ground. The pilot reported that the airplane "seemed" not to be "making" enough power to continue to climb. The pilot elected to abort the takeoff and land directly ahead on what remained of the landing strip. While landing the airplane impacted a wind sock located about 140 feet to the left of centerline and about 500 feet short of the departure end of the runway on the left edge of the landing strip, which resulted in substantial damage to the firewall. In a telephone interview with the NTSB Investigator-in-charge (IIC) the pilot stated that the stall warning horn was audible during the initial climb.

Full narrative

The pilot reported that while taking off with 20 degrees of flaps from a grass airstrip, the airplane rotated about 50 knots and climbed to an altitude of about 80 feet above the ground. The pilot reported that the airplane "seemed" not to be "making" enough power to continue to climb.

The pilot elected to abort the takeoff and land directly ahead on what remained of the landing strip. While landing the airplane impacted a wind sock located about 140 feet to the left of centerline and about 500 feet short of the departure end of the runway on the left edge of the landing strip, which resulted in substantial damage to the firewall.

In a telephone interview with the NTSB Investigator-in-charge (IIC) the pilot stated that the stall warning horn was audible during the initial climb.

Probable cause

The pilot exceeded the critical angle of attack during takeoff which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with a wind sock and terrain. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.

Circumstances

Event type
Accident
Highest injury
None
Weather conditions
Visual Meteorological Cond
Light condition
Day
Ceiling (ft)
0
Visibility (sm)
10
Wind direction
280
Wind speed (kt)
5
Temperature (F)
37
Nearest airport
BOWSTRING
Distance from field
0.0
Airport elevation
1372

Aircraft

RegistrationMakeModelDamageFAR part
N717AT — — SUBS 091

Sequence of events

#OccurrencePhase
1 Takeoff Loss of control in flight defining Takeoff

Findings

Finding
Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot cause
Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Pitch control-Not attained/maintained cause
Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Aircraft capability-Climb capability-Not attained/maintained cause
Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Angle of attack-Capability exceeded cause