Bellanca 7GCBC N11698 accident near Kadoka, South Dakota

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in the airplane’s wing exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.

NTSB analysis

The commercial pilot was departing for an aerial application flight. A witness, who observed the airplane climbing out after takeoff, reported that the airplane was about the same height as nearby light poles and was slipping "slightly to the right," when the right wing dropped "sharply." The airplane descended and impacted the ground, and a postimpact fire ensued. A postaccident examination of the wreckage did not reveal any anomalies consistent with preimpact failure or malfunction.

Phentermine, a stimulant in the amphetamine class of drugs, was noted in the pilot's toxicology report. The level of the medication detected was below the therapeutic range, and stimulants typically speed up psychomotor functioning; therefore, it is unlikely that any effects of phentermine contributed to the pilot's loss of control on takeoff.

It is likely that the pilot failed to maintain sufficient airspeed during the initial climb after takeoff, resulting in the airplane's wing exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall with insufficient altitude to recover before impacting the ground. The slipping noted by the witness is consistent with uncoordinated flight, which increases the likelihood of a wing dropping when a stall occurs.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN15FA264 for the full record.