Beech A36 N3193W accident near Huggins, Missouri

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle-of-attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.

NTSB analysis

The private pilot was taking off from a 2,000-ft-long grass runway that had 70-ft tall trees at the south departure end with a clearing about 180 ft west of the runway centerline. A witness reported that he saw the airplane taxi to the north end of the runway and proceed to take off to the south. After takeoff, the airplane began a right turn to the west toward the opening in the tree line. The airplane then pitched up abruptly, rolled left, and dove into the ground.

Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. GPS data for the flight corroborated the witness report. Additionally, the GPS-recorded speeds indicated that the airplane reached a maximum groundspeed of about 50 knots and that the groundspeed then decreased to 44 knots before impact. The airplane's weight could not be determined, and the airplane flight manual (AFM) did not include power-on stall speeds. However, based on the power-off stall speed information contained in the AFM, it is likely that the pilot failed to maintain adequate airspeed and exceeded the airplane's critical angle-of–attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN15FA267 for the full record.