Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 28-150 near Concordia, KS — 2013-11-09

Final reportCEN14LA050
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Date
2013-11-09
Location
Concordia, KS, USA
Airport
CNK
Aircraft
PIPER PA 28-150
Registration
N5790W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The flight instructor’s improper decision to attempt a climb with an excessive pitch attitude for the tailwind condition and flap setting, which resulted in an approach to stall and subsequent off-field landing.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor and student pilot reported that they used soft-field procedures for takeoff. After lifting off with a high-pitch attitude, the pilots continued to climb the airplane using a high-pitch attitude to clear a simulated obstacle. With a partial flap setting, tailwind condition, and high-pitch attitude, the airplane struggled to climb and approached a stall. The flight instructor chose to make an off-field landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. Postaccident examinations of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Adjusting pitch attitude to avoid stall during initial climb.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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