Pilot Debrief

NAGEL SAL 2/3 P51 near Schenectady, NY — 2008-09-23

Final reportNYC08LA322
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Date
2008-09-23
Location
Schenectady, NY, USA
Airport
SCH
Aircraft
NAGEL SAL 2/3 P51
Registration
N51WW
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the initial climb, which led to an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

The owner of the amateur built, automotive-engine-powered airplane decided he lacked the experience in tailwheel-equipped airplanes to perform a maintenance flight, and arranged for another pilot to fly the airplane after resolving a rough running engine issue. A review of video footage of the flight revealed that after capturing the takeoff and initial climb, the videographer announced "he's close to a stall," and lowered the camera. The descent and impact were not captured, but the sound of the engine was recorded. Review of the audio track of the video revealed smooth, continuous engine sound until the sounds of impact. According to one witness, the tailwheel was raised almost immediately, and the airplane was airborne after a brief ground roll. The climb was "poor" and the airplane’s altitude above the ground reached only 200 feet, after a 4,000 foot-long initial climb. He said, "The [pitch] attitude of the aircraft was quite high and seemed close to a stall condition." He added that the engine did not "falter" or change power/rpm throughout his observation of the flight. Examination of the wreckage by Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspectors revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff due to poor climb performance.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents11

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