Pilot Debrief

QUAD CITY CHALLENGER I near Winsted, MN — 2013-11-12

Final reportCEN14LA066
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Date
2013-11-12
Location
Winsted, MN, USA
Airport
10D
Aircraft
QUAD CITY CHALLENGER I
Registration
UNREG
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering for a precautionary landing after the light sport airplane started vibrating, which led to an inadvertent aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, as he reduced engine power during the initial climb after takeoff, he felt the light sport airplane vibrate. He further reduced engine power, but this action did not eliminate the vibration. He initially planned to attempt to land the airplane on the runway; however, it was not positioned properly. He subsequently attempted to land in an adjacent field. During the landing attempt, the airplane began to lose airspeed, and it then stalled and impacted the field. A postaccident examination of the engine and flight control system did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The source of the reported vibration could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the flight after detecting engine vibration.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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