Pilot Debrief

Comp Air Inc. (Plambeck) CA8 near Ray, MI — 2015-10-15

Final reportCEN16LA017
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Date
2015-10-15
Location
Ray, MI, USA
Airport
57D
Aircraft
Comp Air Inc. (Plambeck) CA8
Registration
N224MS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's improper use of the trim, which created a cross-controlled situation and resulted in an aerodynamic stall during the attempted go-around.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that, while on a left downwind in the airport traffic pattern after conducting a cross-country business flight, he extended the flaps 10 degrees. While on short final, he fully extended the flaps, and shortly after, the left wing dropped. The pilot attempted to correct the left wing drop by applying right aileron and rudder; however, the airplane did not respond. The pilot chose to conduct a go-around and increased engine power. The airplane subsequently pitched up, and the left turn steepened. The pilot subsequently reduced engine power, and the airplane began to descend. The airplane struck the ground short of the runway, and the left wing separated from the fuselage. The examination of the airframe, flight controls, and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the trim system revealed that the right aileron trim and the left rudder trim were in positions that would have resulted in a right turn and a left yaw. Further, a witness reported that the airplane appeared to be in a cross-controlled attitude while on final approach to the airport. It is likely that the pilot's improper use of the trim led to a cross-controlled situation and resulted in the subsequent stall during the attempted go-around.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the landing earlier before extending full flaps.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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