Piper PA 28 N5541F accident near Fresno, California

Probable cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during departure due to being distracted by looking for his phone.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he flew to a tower-controlled airport to practice simulated engine failure approaches and landings. During departure following his fifth approach, he wanted to know what time it was and began looking for his phone, including reaching behind the seat to find it. He further reported that he must have been pulling back on the yoke while searching, and when he looked forward, the airplane was in a right yaw. He reported that he did not remember anything after that but believed that the airplane aerodynamically stalled and subsequently impacted the ground.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.

The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA17CA035 for the full record.