Pilot Debrief

James Donald Baker Zenith near Bolivar, MO — 2018-05-22

Final reportCEN18FA186
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Date
2018-05-22
Location
Bolivar, MO, USA
Airport
M17
Aircraft
James Donald Baker Zenith
Registration
N622DP
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control after takeoff.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot departed for a local personal flight in the experimental airplane that he had built and flown for about 500 hours. A witness saw the airplane flying about 50 feet above trees with the nose oscillating up and down. According to the witness, the engine was not "making any strange noises [and had a] steady tone." The airplane struck trees and impacted the ground about 0.75 mile south of the airport. Postaccident examination of the airframe, engine, and propeller revealed no discrepancies or anomalies that would have prevented normal operation.The damage to the propeller blades was consistent with rotation at impact. An autopsy of the pilot was not performed. According to the toxicology report, no ethanol or drugs were detected. Given the oscillations described by the witness, it is likely that the pilot did not maintain airplane control following the takeoff.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided low flight above trees after takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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