Beech 36 N5836B accident near Lubbock, Texas

Probable cause

The pilot's improper pitch trim setting during takeoff in a left quartering tailwind, which resulted in the airplane abruptly pitching up and subsequently experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to follow a preflight checklist and verify that the elevator trim tab was in the takeoff position.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll and while the airplane was about 60 knots, it lifted off in a nose-high attitude, and the stall warning horn actuated. He added that, about 20 ft above ground level, the airplane rotated to the right, but he overcorrected, and the left wingtip struck the runway. Shortly after, he landed the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the elevator trim was set to nose high and that he should have used a pretakeoff checklist to verify that the elevator trim was set to the takeoff position.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA587 for the full record.