Pilot Debrief

AIRCRAFT MFG & DVLPMT CO CH601XL near Pleasanton, KS — 2015-03-31

Final reportCEN15FA187
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Date
2015-03-31
Location
Pleasanton, KS, USA
Airport
NONE
Aircraft
AIRCRAFT MFG & DVLPMT CO CH601XL
Registration
N623HS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's excessively high angle-of-attack on rotation that prevented the airplane from climbing sufficiently to avoid the approaching trees.

NTSB narrative

The sport pilot was conducting a personal flight with a pilot-rated passenger onboard. Witnesses stated that they saw the airplane lift off the runway in a nose-high attitude; they were unsure if the tail contacted the runway. They said the airplane appeared to be "behind the power curve" and "flying in ground effect." The airplane drifted left of the extended runway centerline and collided with the tops of trees at the end of the runway, fell to the ground inverted, and caught fire. Examination of the engine and propeller indicated the engine was operating at high power at the time of impact. The pilot's autopsy report showed severe coronary artery disease that posed a very significant hazard. However, the cause of death was attributed to thermal injuries. The circumstances of the accident were consistent with the pilot over-rotating the airplane on takeoff, resulting in an excessively high angle-of-attack with insufficient power available to climb and clear the trees on departure. It is unlikely the pilot could have seen or avoided the trees as the airplane approached the end of the runway.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff when the aircraft was behind the power curve.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 10 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents10

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