Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to adequately monitor airspeed during a low-level turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with the water.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he was overflying a lake when he noticed something floating on the water and turned the airplane around to get a better look. During the turn at low altitude, the airspeed diminished, and the airplane’s wing stalled. The airplane descended and impacted the water nosing over and coming to rest inverted. The airplane’s fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN22LA015 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 9, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Horseshoe Bay, Texas
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built SUPER DRIFTER
- N-number
- N70TZ
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2003
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.