Probable cause
The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during climb out from an aborted landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that after landing in the tailwheel equipped airplane, he was having difficulty maintaining the runway centerline. He therefore decided to abort the landing and added power. During takeoff, he noticed the airplane had difficulty climbing and was drifting off the runway heading. Subsequently, he turned back toward the runway and subsequently the airplane when into a stall and impacted nose down. During the accident sequence, substantial damage was sustained to the wings.
The pilot reported that there were no preimpact failures or malfunctions of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR25LA149 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 2, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Mojave, California
- Nearest airport
- Mojave Air And Space Port/Ruta (KMHV)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
American Champion Aircraft 8KCAB
- N-number
- N538EE
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2022
- 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.