Beech 95 N9389Y accident near Lagrange, New York

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB analysis

A witness, who was a pilot, reported that he observed the airplane climb to approximately 50 feet above ground level (agl), yaw to the left, return to straight flight, climb to approximately 300 feet agl, yaw to the left a second time, and then bank to the left. The nose of the airplane then pitched down to about a perpendicular position with reference to the surrounding terrain, completing 1 to 1 1/2 spin rotations before going out of sight behind a row of trees. A postaccident examination of the airplane established continuity from all control surfaces to the cockpit. Examination of both engines revealed thermal damage; however, all cylinders produced suction and no abnormal mechanical anomalies or signatures were noted.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA10FA178 for the full record.