Pilot Debrief

HAWKINS AUGUST E AVENTURA II near Griffith, IN — 2009-05-02

Final reportCEN09LA276
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Date
2009-05-02
Location
Griffith, IN, USA
Airport
05C
Aircraft
HAWKINS AUGUST E AVENTURA II
Registration
N20GH
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the airspeed indicator due to separation of the pitot-static line at the left wing root.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the airspeed indicator failed during takeoff. He elected to continue the takeoff because there was insufficient distance to stop on the remaining runway. The pilot intended to remain in the traffic pattern and return for landing. However, as the pilot turned to left crosswind the airplane became difficult to control, pitched down and impacted the ground. A post accident examination revealed that the tubing from the pitot tube was disconnected from a mating length of tubing located at the left wing root. The left wing root structure was intact and impact damage did not appear to have contributed to the pitot static system discontinuity. No other anomalies associated with a pre-impact failure were observed.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff due to airspeed indicator failure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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