Landing / Ground Loss of Control · NTSB CEN12FA320

Tackabury Air-Cam — Fort Morgan, CO

1 fatal High-time pilot
DateMay 28, 2012
LocationFort Morgan, CO
AircraftTackabury Air-Cam (amateur-built)
Purpose of flightPersonal
ConditionsDay · Visual Meteorological Cond
Phase / occurrenceLanding-flare/touchdown Windshear or thunderstorm
Pilot age65
Pilot total time2,055 hrs · Experienced
Time in type11 hrs
Fatalities1, 1 serious

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while performing a go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB findings

  • Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not attained/maintained - C
  • Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • Personnel issues-Experience/knowledge-Experience/qualifications-Total experience w/ equipment-Pilot

What happened

The commercial pilot was landing on a turf runway when a gust of wind rotated the airplane to the right; the pilot added power to perform a go-around. Multiple witnesses reported that the airplane pitched up to a relatively high angle of attack and then entered a steep right turn before it descended to the ground and cart-wheeled. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation. The description from the witnesses and the damage to the airplane is consistent with an aerodynamic stall. The pilot’s lack of experience in both multiengine airplanes and in the accident make and model airplane likely contributed to his loss of control during the go-around procedure.

An editorial "what led to it / how to avoid it" analysis for this accident is generated separately and will appear here.

View the official NTSB docket →