Pilot Debrief

BEECH 95 near Lagrange, NY — 2010-03-18

Final reportERA10FA178
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Date
2010-03-18
Location
Lagrange, NY, USA
Airport
44N
Aircraft
BEECH 95
Registration
N9389Y
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

A witness, who was a pilot, reported that he observed the airplane climb to approximately 50 feet above ground level (agl), yaw to the left, return to straight flight, climb to approximately 300 feet agl, yaw to the left a second time, and then bank to the left. The nose of the airplane then pitched down to about a perpendicular position with reference to the surrounding terrain, completing 1 to 1 1/2 spin rotations before going out of sight behind a row of trees. A postaccident examination of the airplane established continuity from all control surfaces to the cockpit. Examination of both engines revealed thermal damage; however, all cylinders produced suction and no abnormal mechanical anomalies or signatures were noted.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not refuel before departure, leading to fuel starvation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 15 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents15

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