Pilot Debrief

RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY G36 near Benicia, CA — 2017-09-09

Final reportWPR17FA200
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Date
2017-09-09
Location
Benicia, CA, USA
Aircraft
RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY G36
Registration
N7215J
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which caused the airplane to exceed its critical angle of attack and led to an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot and passenger departed for a personal cross-country flight. Radar data indicated that the flight track after takeoff was consistent with the course to the destination airport. During the first few minutes of flight, the radar data indicated that the airplane was in a climb. However, during the last 2 minutes of flight, as the airplane neared its level-off altitude, the airplane's speed had decreased and was approaching the stall speed, which was between 68 and 73 knots, depending on the airplane's bank. The calibrated airspeed was calculated to be about 62 knots at the last radar return. At that time, the airplane had entered a right turn and was rapidly descending. The airplane impacted terrain about 9 miles from the departure airport. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Signatures at the accident site and the damage to the airplane indicated a near vertical impact, which was consistent with an aerodynamic stall.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the climb when ground speed began to decrease.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents16

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