Amateur-built SONEX N234KS accident near San Angelo, Texas

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to alcohol.

NTSB analysis

A private pilot and a student pilot were departing a private airfield when they heard a loud bang. The airplane climbed to 100 to 200 feet above ground level when it began to vibrate. The private pilot, who was operating the airplane, remarked that he did not have control of the airplane. The student pilot recalled that the airplane entered a nose-high left turn prior to ground impact. An examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any preimpact anomalies. There was no evidence of a material failure to explain the loud noise prior to the accident; the source of the loud noise was not determined. An alcohol screen conducted on a sample of the private pilot's blood revealed a 0.11 percent blood alcohol level.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11LA045 for the full record.