Pilot Debrief

FAIRCHILD PT-19A near Colorado Springs, CO — 2009-08-08

Final reportCEN09CA505
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Date
2009-08-08
Location
Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Airport
00V
Aircraft
FAIRCHILD PT-19A
Registration
N54804
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed to avoid an aerodynamic stall during a high-density altitude takeoff.

NTSB narrative

The airplane departed Runway 33 (6,000 feet by 60 feet, asphalt, with a slight upslope). Witnesses reported that the airplane "never got more than about 50 feet in the air". The airplane then impacted terrain and came to rest just beyond the departure end of the runway. Fuel was present at the site and the airplane's engine and right wing had been torn from the fuselage during the accident, resulting in substantial damage. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident site stated that the airplane's wooden propeller was in "splinters" and that there "didn’t appear to be any control problems". The density altitude was calculated to be 9,590 feet. The pilot failed to submit the requested NTSB form 6120.1, Pilot/Operator Accident/Incident Report.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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