Schweizer Aircraft Corp G-164B N8483K accident near Dover, Delaware

Probable cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the critical angle of attack which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low to recover.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that the airplane became airborne prior to reaching the intended airspeed. He continued the takeoff and during initial climb, the pilot increased the pitch of the airplane in an attempt to clear a set of power lines. This resulted in an exceedance of the critical angle of attack and subsequent aerodynamic stall. The airplane impacted a set of trees and the ground resulting in substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA25LA342 for the full record.