Probable cause
The flight instructor’s improper decision to attempt a climb with an excessive pitch attitude for the tailwind condition and flap setting, which resulted in an approach to stall and subsequent off-field landing.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor and student pilot reported that they used soft-field procedures for takeoff. After lifting off with a high-pitch attitude, the pilots continued to climb the airplane using a high-pitch attitude to clear a simulated obstacle. With a partial flap setting, tailwind condition, and high-pitch attitude, the airplane struggled to climb and approached a stall. The flight instructor chose to make an off-field landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. Postaccident examinations of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN14LA050 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 9, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Concordia, Kansas
- Nearest airport
- Blosser Muni (CNK)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA 28-150
- N-number
- N5790W
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1964
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.