Amateur-built AVENTURA II N20GH accident near Griffith, Indiana

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the airspeed indicator due to separation of the pitot-static line at the left wing root.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that the airspeed indicator failed during takeoff. He elected to continue the takeoff because there was insufficient distance to stop on the remaining runway. The pilot intended to remain in the traffic pattern and return for landing. However, as the pilot turned to left crosswind the airplane became difficult to control, pitched down and impacted the ground. A post accident examination revealed that the tubing from the pitot tube was disconnected from a mating length of tubing located at the left wing root. The left wing root structure was intact and impact damage did not appear to have contributed to the pitot static system discontinuity. No other anomalies associated with a pre-impact failure were observed.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09LA276 for the full record.