Raytheon Aircraft Company G36 N7215J accident near Benicia, California

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which caused the airplane to exceed its critical angle of attack and led to an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB analysis

The private pilot and passenger departed for a personal cross-country flight. Radar data indicated that the flight track after takeoff was consistent with the course to the destination airport. During the first few minutes of flight, the radar data indicated that the airplane was in a climb. However, during the last 2 minutes of flight, as the airplane neared its level-off altitude, the airplane's speed had decreased and was approaching the stall speed, which was between 68 and 73 knots, depending on the airplane's bank. The calibrated airspeed was calculated to be about 62 knots at the last radar return. At that time, the airplane had entered a right turn and was rapidly descending. The airplane impacted terrain about 9 miles from the departure airport.

Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Signatures at the accident site and the damage to the airplane indicated a near vertical impact, which was consistent with an aerodynamic stall.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR17FA200 for the full record.