Pilot Debrief

Tackabury Air-Cam near Fort Morgan, CO — 2012-05-28

Final reportCEN12FA320
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Date
2012-05-28
Location
Fort Morgan, CO, USA
Airport
KFMM
Aircraft
Tackabury Air-Cam
Registration
N788RJ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while performing a go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was landing on a turf runway when a gust of wind rotated the airplane to the right; the pilot added power to perform a go-around. Multiple witnesses reported that the airplane pitched up to a relatively high angle of attack and then entered a steep right turn before it descended to the ground and cart-wheeled. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation. The description from the witnesses and the damage to the airplane is consistent with an aerodynamic stall. The pilot’s lack of experience in both multiengine airplanes and in the accident make and model airplane likely contributed to his loss of control during the go-around procedure.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing earlier after wind gust caused loss of control.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents11

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