Pilot Debrief

BEECH C23 near Rawlins, WY — 2012-02-18

Final reportWPR12LA110
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Date
2012-02-18
Location
Rawlins, WY, USA
Airport
RWL
Aircraft
BEECH C23
Registration
N5205M
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the takeoff roll was uneventful and that the airplane became airborne and accelerated to best-rate-of-climb speed; however, the airplane did not climb as expected. The pilot stated that the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport/Facility Directory (AFD) warned of rising terrain off the departure end of the runway and instructed an immediate turn to the right. As a result, at the end of the runway and at an altitude of between 75 and 200 feet above the ground, the pilot began a right turn to the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern. However, the airplane stopped climbing, and he pitched up until the stall warning horn sounded. He said that he turned to the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, and the stall warning horn continued to “chirp.” The airplane began to descend and subsequently touched down in a sagebrush-covered field. The landing on rough terrain substantially damaged the airplane’s right wing spar and wrinkled the fuselage. Review of the AFD revealed that it did not warn of rising terrain off the departure end of the runway: however, it did request that “all aircraft departing runway 28 make right turnout as soon as safety permits after takeoff to avoid housing area and for noise abatement.” It is likely that as a result of the increased pitch attitude, the pilot did not maintain sufficient airspeed during the climb, as indicated by the stall warning horn sounding, and the airplane was unable to maintain altitude and descended to ground impact. The pilot indicated that he did not know if there was a preimpact mechanical malfunction.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff due to frost and density altitude effects.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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