Pilot Debrief

GERALD JONES 2+2 near Kodiak, AK — 2021-11-07

Final reportANC22FA005
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Date
2021-11-07
Location
Kodiak, AK, USA
Aircraft
GERALD JONES 2+2
Registration
N540AK
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

Numerous witnesses reported that, shortly after takeoff, the airplane entered a steep right turn, the nose dropped, and the airplane entered a spiraling descent in a near-vertical attitude. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The damage to the airplane and surveillance video were consistent with a near-vertical descent indicative of an aerodynamic stall. Based on the available information, it is likely that the pilot failed to maintain sufficient airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided steep right turn after departure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents11

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