Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 28 near Fresno, CA — 2016-10-19

Final reportGAA17CA035
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Date
2016-10-19
Location
Fresno, CA, USA
Airport
FAT
Aircraft
PIPER PA 28
Registration
N5541F
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during departure due to being distracted by looking for his phone.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he flew to a tower-controlled airport to practice simulated engine failure approaches and landings. During departure following his fifth approach, he wanted to know what time it was and began looking for his phone, including reaching behind the seat to find it. He further reported that he must have been pulling back on the yoke while searching, and when he looked forward, the airplane was in a right yaw. He reported that he did not remember anything after that but believed that the airplane aerodynamically stalled and subsequently impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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