Amateur-built Challenger II N69ER accident near Fairdealing, Kentucky

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while climbing into rising terrain at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and uncontrolled descent.

NTSB analysis

During a family gathering, the pilot/owner began to offer rides in the experimental amateur-built airplane to the attendees. The first potential passenger rejected the offer because the day was "too hot." A second person accepted, and he and the pilot departed the lakeside airstrip for a personal flight in the local area. This was the first flight of the day for the pilot and airplane. The airplane flew approximately 3 miles to the north, and remained over the lake during that time. Once the airplane crossed the shoreline, the terrain began to rise. The passenger and a witness on the golf course below both observed that the airplane was low and "close to the trees." The witness stated that he first thought the pilot was trying to land on the fairway, but then the airplane "winged over" and struck trees. The airplane was not equipped with a stall warning system, and a bank angle of 60 degrees increased the stall speed to a value above the best angle of climb speed. No preaccident anomalies or failures with the airplane or engine were discovered. Available information indicated that the pilot had approximately 34 hours experience in the airplane. Postaccident toxicology testing identified diphenhydramine, a sedating and impairing over-the-counter antihistamine, in the pilot's blood, but it was unknown how recently the pilot took the medication and the investigation was unable to determine whether it impaired his abilities or decision-making.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for NYC08LA263 for the full record.