Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed to avoid an aerodynamic stall during a high-density altitude takeoff.
NTSB analysis
The airplane departed Runway 33 (6,000 feet by 60 feet, asphalt, with a slight upslope). Witnesses reported that the airplane "never got more than about 50 feet in the air". The airplane then impacted terrain and came to rest just beyond the departure end of the runway. Fuel was present at the site and the airplane's engine and right wing had been torn from the fuselage during the accident, resulting in substantial damage. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident site stated that the airplane's wooden propeller was in "splinters" and that there "didn’t appear to be any control problems". The density altitude was calculated to be 9,590 feet. The pilot failed to submit the requested NTSB form 6120.1, Pilot/Operator Accident/Incident Report.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09CA505 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 8, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Nearest airport
- Meadow Lake Airport (00V)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Fairchild PT-19A
- N-number
- N54804
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.