British Aircraft Corp. BAC STKMSTR MK80 N605GV accident near Henderson, Nevada

Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to ensure that the flaps were set to the proper position for takeoff which resulted in the airplane becoming airborne and unable to climb or accelerate and subsequently impacting terrain.

NTSB analysis

A Public Use aircraft in support of the U.S. Air Force, was taking off on a cross-country flight when it crashed shortly after takeoff. According the pilot, shortly after takeoff, the airplane failed to accelerate, and he was unable to initiate a normal climb. The airplane subsequently struck terrain and was consumed by fire.

Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the flaps were in the fully extended position. Additionally, maintenance personnel that launched the airplane, both stated that the airplane taxied from of the ramp area with the flaps fully extended. The pilot had performed a ground engine run to help maintenance personnel check that the replacement flap actuator was functioned properly and had no leaks. The pilot was asked to extend and retract the flaps several times. It is likely that the pilot was distracted by the airplane’s maintenance and associated ground tests and inadvertently failed to confirm the proper flap setting before takeoff.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR17LA163 for the full record.