Loss of Control in Flight · NTSB ERA24FA206
RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY A36 — Augusta, GA
| Date | May 2, 2024 |
| Location | Augusta, GA |
| Aircraft | RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY A36 |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Uncontrolled descent Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) |
| Pilot age | 45 |
| Pilot total time | 810 hrs · Building experience |
| Time in type | Unknown |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Angle of attack-Capability exceeded
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
What happened
Shortly after takeoff on a cross-country flight in day visual meteorological conditions, the pilot initiated a sharp turn to the left with the landing gear extended and the flaps retracted. The turn appeared roughly consistent with an attempt to return to the airport; however, no distress calls were noted and the airport did not record the common traffic advisory frequency. The airplane reached a maximum altitude of 300 feet above the ground and a maximum calibrated airspeed of 90 kts. The airplane turned at more than twice the standard rate, reaching a calculated bank angle of 44° left wing low before it appeared to enter an accelerated aerodynamic stall. Sound spectrum analysis of surveillance video revealed the propeller was running at near maximum rpm at impact. The airplane impacted the ground in a residential neighborhood, was destroyed in a postaccident fire. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of a preexisting malfunction or failure. The reason for the pilot’s apparent return to the airport after departure could not be determined.