Low-Altitude Maneuvering · NTSB CEN09LA277
CHAMPION 7GCBC — Surrey, ND
| Date | May 3, 2009 |
| Location | Surrey, ND |
| Aircraft | CHAMPION 7GCBC |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Maneuvering-low-alt flying Abrupt maneuver |
| Pilot age | 43 |
| Pilot total time | 5,150 hrs · High time |
| Time in type | Unknown |
| Fatalities | 2 |
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during an abrupt pull-up maneuver, which resulted in an aerodynammic stall at low altitude.
NTSB findings
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Pitch control-Incorrect use/operation - C
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Angle of attack-Capability exceeded - C
What happened
Witnesses stated that the airplane circled a house and descended “close to the ground,” flying at a low altitude along a row of trees. After traveling about one-half mile, the airplane turned right, pitched "upwards and then the nose dipped into the trees.” A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. The pilot had recently started taking fluoxetine, a prescription antidepressant. The medication was unlikely to have resulted in substantial impairment, but the role of the condition for which the medication was prescribed could not be determined.