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NTSB investigation record

WPR25LA149

Completed

American champion aircraft 8Kcab· N538EE

Date
May 2, 2025
Location
Mojave, CA
Conditions
VMC
Record
Published August 11, 2025

Primary finding

Probable cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during climb out from an aborted landing.

Investigator assessment

Analysis narrative

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.

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