Boeing A75N1(PT17) N53473

Summary

On 14 August 2011 at about 17:26 local time, a Boeing A75N1(PT17) registered N53473, operated by Doyle Lois A, was involved in an accident near Fabens, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 August 2011 at 17:26

Classification

Accident

Location

Fabens, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Fabens Airport (E35)

Coordinates

31.5094, -106.1414

Aircraft

Boeing A75N1(PT17)

Registration

N53473

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Doyle Lois A

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fabens → Santa Teresa

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN11LA578

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot’s decision to continue the high density altitude takeoff with reduced engine power and his decision to initiate a turn back to the runway with insufficient airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the takeoff ground roll, the pilot noticed that the airplane’s engine was developing 100 to 200 rpm less than expected. He continued with the takeoff, and, during the climb, he was unable to maintain a safe airspeed. The passenger said that the airplane did not seem to accelerate very well on the takeoff roll and that the climb rate was marginal. When the airplane was about 100 feet above the ground, the pilot entered a left turn back to the airport with an already reduced airspeed, and an aerodynamic stall occurred. The left wing dropped, and the airplane descended at a steep angle. The pilot was able to level the wings before the airplane impacted the ground. The engine was not examined due to impact damage and the inability of inspectors to move the engine at the accident site. At the time of the accident, the density altitude was about 6,425 feet, which would have contributed to reduced airplane performance during takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.