Pipistrel TAURUS ELECTRO G2.5 N984TP accident near Hempstead, Texas

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to properly stow the motor in preparation for approach and landing that resulted in a loss of airspeed and an inadvertent aerodynamic stall and spin.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the electric motor glider stated that in preparation for decent and landing to the destination airport, he selected the system enable switch to off instead of selecting the motor mast position selector to down. The motor then windmilled, which resulted in the motor and mast losing power, and the glider quickly lost airspeed. The glider then entered an aerodynamic stall and spin. The pilot stated that in an attempt to recover from the spin, he pushed down on the control stick and applied rudder, but the glider pitched up violently. While in an unusual attitude and at a low altitude, the pilot was unable to regain control and deployed the ballistic parachute. During the deployment, the parachute rocket went through the right wing, but the parachute still deployed and the glider impacted terrain in an inverted attitude. The glider sustained substantial damage to the right wing.

The pilot attributed the rapid loss of the glider’s airspeed due to the drag induced from the windmilling propeller and thought that the windmilling propeller also inhibited airflow over the vertical and horizontal stabilizer, which prevented recovery from the stall and spin. The pilot stated there was no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN26LA294 for the full record.