Pilot Debrief

THOMPSON BRUCE D SONERAI II near Pulaski, TN — 2013-07-16

Final reportERA13LA320
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Date
2013-07-16
Location
Pulaski, TN, USA
Airport
GZS
Aircraft
THOMPSON BRUCE D SONERAI II
Registration
N788T
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a near-vertical climb after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent collision with terrain.

NTSB narrative

Witnesses reported seeing the airplane stop on the runway and the engine stop producing power during the takeoff. The private pilot/owner subsequently deplaned and hand propped the engine, which was not equipped with an electric starter, to restart it. The pilot continued the takeoff in tailwind conditions on the 2,500 feet of remaining up-sloping runway. The airplane lifted off the runway in a near-vertical climb and traveled about 2,900 feet before it rolled left and descended vertically to the ground. Flight control continuity was established during postaccident examinations; however, the engine could not be examined due to fire and impact damage. The airplane's previous owner described the airplane's design as inherently unstable and stated that higher airspeeds were required to maintain stability in all phases of flight and that the wing would dip very quickly in a stall.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff due to engine sputtering and instability.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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