Amateur-built CHALLENGER I N630SC accident near Higginsville, Missouri

Probable cause

The non-certificated pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a low-level turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB analysis

The non-certificated pilot reported that shortly after departing from the airstrip, he decided to maneuver the airplane back toward the airstrip. The airplane was 200 ft agl and the airspeed was about 50 mph when the pilot initiated a left turn and applied “hard right rudder.” The pilot reported that the airplane’s left wing suddenly dropped straight down and the airplane “apparently stalled.” The airplane impacted the ground and came to rest in a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN21LA446 for the full record.