Champion 7GCBC N5502S accident near Carpenter, Wyoming

Probable cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control at an altitude too low for recovery.

NTSB analysis

The pilot departed from a field and was climbing the airplane through about 100 to 200 ft above ground level. Witnesses stated, and surveillance video of the accident confirmed, that the airplane entered a left bank that increased to about 60° degrees as the airplane turned about 180°. The left bank continued to increase until the airplane entered a nose-down descent into the ground, consistent with an aerodynamic stall. Both witnesses reported that the engine was operating throughout.

Examination of the airplane and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the available information, it is likely that the pilot exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack while turning during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control at an altitude too low for recovery.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN19FA305 for the full record.