1905 WRIGHT FLYER N3635N accident near Dayton, Ohio

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the flight, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB analysis

The airplane, which was built by the pilot, was a replica of the Wright Brothers 1905 airplane. The purpose of the flight was to practice in preparation for the 104th Anniversary of Practical Flight celebration. The accident occurred on the second flight of the day. After takeoff, the airplane climbed to an altitude of 15 to 20 feet, then entered a shallow descending right bank. The wings of the airplane leveled and the nose pitched up. The nose of the airplane then dropped and the airplane impacted the terrain. The airplane received substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and elevator. A 4-knot tailwind prevailed at the time of the accident. Postaccident inspection of the airplane failed to reveal any preimpact failures or malfunctions.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10LA001 for the full record.