Amateur-built ZENITH STOL CH701 N1836E accident near Arnaudville, Louisiana

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed resulting in exceeding the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. The low altitude at which the flight was conducted contributed to the outcome.

NTSB analysis

The non-certificated pilot reported that he was flying low and slow over a field looking for a model airplane that he had lost the day before. He was returning to his private airstrip, flying low and slow over trees, when the airplane stalled. Before he could recover from the aerodynamic stall the landing gear contacted the trees, and the airplane fell to the ground. He reported that there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane and that the accident was all pilot error. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA331 for the full record.