Dova Aircraft Sro DV-1 SKYLARK N3503C accident near Placerville, California

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB analysis

The pilot stated that after taxiing onto the runway, he increased the airplane's throttle to the full forward position and started his takeoff roll. After reaching an airspeed of 55 knots, the front wheel lifted off the ground and began to shimmy. The pilot applied back pressure on the control stick to takeoff, and after reaching approximately 30 feet above the ground, the left wing of the airplane started to stall and the airplane rolled to the left. At this time, the pilot applied a right input on the control stick along with right pedal. However, the airplane continued to roll to the left and impacted the ground substantially damaging the airplane. The pilot reported there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that precluded its normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR11CA322 for the full record.