Pilot Debrief

PIPISTREL ITALIA S R L ALPHA TRAINER near Paso Robles, CA — 2024-06-08

Final reportWPR24LA189
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Date
2024-06-08
Location
Paso Robles, CA, USA
Airport
89CA
Aircraft
PIPISTREL ITALIA S R L ALPHA TRAINER
Registration
N208ZM
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack that resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control on final approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to land with a tailwind.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to land with a tailwind.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he entered the traffic pattern for runway 04 and had previously received information by email from ground personnel, that the wind was from the south at 4 kts. While on final approach, the pilot initiated a forward slip to assist with the airplane’s descent and he terminated the slip, the stall warning horn sounded. After the stall warning horn sounded, the airplane “lost lift and had no control” as it descended into a vineyard located to the left of the runway. The airplane impacted the ground, rotated 180°, and came to rest upright. The wings, fuselage, and empennage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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