ANC22LA012

The pilot and pilot-rated passenger completed several takeoffs and landings before departing to their destination. The pilot reported that, during the accident takeoff, the airplane “had no power to climb” and was “sinking.” The airplane descended into trees and impacted terrain in a near-vertical attitude just past the departure end of the runway. The pilot-rated passenger stated that the pilot pitched the airplane “higher than he needed” and “held the high pitch attitude” until the airplane descended into the trees, and pilot-rated witnesses reported that the airplane exhibited an “unusually high” nose-up pitch attitude during the takeoff. Postaccident examination of the engine and engine monitoring system data revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the engine. Given the passenger and witness statements regarding the airplane’s nose-high pitch attitude, it is likely that the pilot exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb after takeoff, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain.

On January 15, 2022, about 0955 Hawaii-Aleutian standard time, a Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane, N992SA, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Hana, Hawaii. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the pilot-rated passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he and the passenger conducted several touch-and-go landings before departing to their destination. During the accident takeoff, the airplane performed normally until about 75 ft above ground level, when the pilot noted that the airplane had “no power to climb” and was “sinking.” The airplane descended into trees and impacted the ground in a near vertical attitude just past the departure end of the runway, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. Two pilot-rated witnesses reported that they heard no unusual sounds. The witnesses noticed that the airplane had an “unusually high” nose-up attitude during takeoff. The pilot-rated passenger reported that the pilot pitched the airplane “higher than he needed” and “held the high pitch attitude” until the airplane descended into the trees. A Dynon EMS-D120 engine monitoring system was removed from the airplane and sent for data download at the NTSB Recorders Laboratory. The flight data indicated that, about 40 seconds before impact, the engine RPM increased from idle to maximum RPM and maintained maximum engine RPM to the end of recording. A postaccident examination of the engine was conducted by an accident investigator from the engine manufacturer with oversight provided by an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration. The examination revealed all spark plugs appeared normal with no anomalies, carburetor main jet was clear of obstruction and floats were within weight limitation. The fuel shut off was operational, and no obstructions observed in the fuel lines. All engine rocker arms, valves, valve springs were intact and operated normally. No anomalies seen with the exhaust system. Gearbox was in good condition and the propeller shaft rotated smoothly. Continuity was established with the crankshaft when the engine was rotated. Thumb compression was observed in all cylinders.