Amateur-built IIIM N45889 accident near Odessa, Texas

Probable cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which led to an aerodynamic stall and a loss of airplane control at too low of an altitude to recover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent experience in the airplane.

NTSB analysis

The purpose of the flight was for the pilot to familiarize himself with the experimental air racing airplane after the airplane had been in storage, and the pilot had not flown the airplane in over two years. The airplane was assembled by the air racing team, all the flight controls were checked, and the engine was run up. The pilot insisted on flying the airplane, even though the airplane maintenance records were not completed. The pilot had intended on staying in the airport traffic pattern. During the initial climb, witnesses reported the airplane’s critical angle of attack was exceeded, and the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall at a low altitude. The airplane impacted a flat field with vegetation, on airport property. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and to both wings.

The pilot, who was wearing an airplane flight helmet, was unable to recall all the accident sequence details due to sustained serious injuries. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN26LA244 for the full record.