Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during initial climb, which resulted in a stall/spin and impact with the ground.
NTSB analysis
During the initial climb after takeoff, witnesses observed the airplane make a right turn and then enter into a nose down spin before impacting a scrap metal yard where it was subsequently consumed by a postimpact fire. Witnesses further reported that the engine sounded smooth and was producing power akin to takeoff power. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors responded to the site and were able to identify all of the hardware for the flight controls. A postaccident engine inspection revealed no mechanical difficulties that would have precluded normal operation. The owner of the airplane reported that this was the pilot's first flight in the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR10LA010 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 9, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Nearest airport
- Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT)
- Highest injury
- Fatal
- Fatal injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built SE5A Replica
- N-number
- N3944U
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.