Pilot Debrief

FLIGHT DESIGN CTSW near Winterville, NC — 2021-05-22

Final reportERA21FA225
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Date
2021-05-22
Location
Winterville, NC, USA
Airport
05N
Aircraft
FLIGHT DESIGN CTSW
Registration
N708JM
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a loss of control.

NTSB narrative

After a cross-country flight, the light sport airplane pilot and passenger arrived at the destination airport. Security camera video captured the airplane touching down normally about 122 ft past the approach end of the runway. The airplane remained on the ground for about 340 ft; afterward, the video recorded engine power increasing in a manner consistent with a go-around. The airplane became airborne and began a climbing left turn with between 15° and 20° left bank. The airplane rolled left beyond 90° of bank and descended in a left-wing-low attitude. A witness heard the sound of impact and saw a postcrash fire. Evidence at the accident site confirmed that the airplane was in a steep descent before impact. The reason for the go-around could not be determined based on the available evidence for this investigation. One of the throttle control cables was found fractured. However, no evidence indicated any preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction to the throttle control cables, flight controls, engine, or its systems. On the basis of the available evidence, the pilot likely exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the go-around, which caused the airplane to stall and descend uncontrolled.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the takeoff after initial climb issues were noted.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 11 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents11

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