Pilot Debrief

ANDERSON JOHN H AVID FLYER MK 4 near Waxhaw, NC — 2012-03-26

Final reportERA12FA256
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Date
2012-03-26
Location
Waxhaw, NC, USA
Airport
N52
Aircraft
ANDERSON JOHN H AVID FLYER MK 4
Registration
N61410
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an attempted go-around, which resulted in a low-altitude aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

According to several pilot-rated eyewitnesses, the airplane was about 30 feet above ground level in about a 30-degree nose-up attitude, while performing a go-around. The pitch attitude of the airplane decreased about treetop level, and one eyewitness stated that the airplane was in a near-vertical nose-down attitude just before entering a spin, followed by the sound of the impact. Another witness indicated that the engine maintained power throughout the accident sequence. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction or failures that would have precluded normal operation. While the airplane was equipped with a parachute system that was not armed by the pilot before flight, the low altitude at which the pilot lost control of the airplane would have made a successful deployment doubtful even with the system armed. A review of the pilot's medical history did not suggest impairment or incapacitation. It is likely that, considering the close proximity of the recorded groundspeed data to the published stall speed, that the airplane speed during the go-around decreased below the stall speed, which resulted in a low-altitude aerodynamic stall.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the landing earlier to avoid loss of control.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents19

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