Pilot Debrief

Polaris Motors 582 FIB near Lexington, SC — 2009-05-04

Final reportERA09LA281
Sign in to save
Date
2009-05-04
Location
Lexington, SC, USA
Aircraft
Polaris Motors 582 FIB
Registration
N171MB
Category
Trike
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the non-certificated pilot’s lack of experience in the make and model airplane.

NTSB narrative

According to the passenger, her father was the pilot. She stated that neither one of them had ever been in the experimental airplane before. She added that they "put their seatbelts on took off and came down." The passenger also reported that the engine ran continuously throughout the accident sequence. The pilot's son, who was watching the takeoff, stated that after rotation and during the climb, the airplane started a turn to the left toward rising terrain. The pilot attempted to climb over the rising terrain and trees. It appeared to the son that the airplane stalled and crashed into the trees. Examination of the airplane revealed no abnormalities that would have prevented normal operation of the airplane.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff to avoid rising terrain.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

Related mishaps