On June 20, 1986, a Beech A-36TC (registration N3823A) was involved in an aviation accident near San Rafael, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, resulting in a stall, due to his misidentification of stall buffet as crosswind turbulence. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
The aircraft stalled and collided with the ground during takeoff when the pilot mistook stall buffet for crosswind turbulence, causing a wing drop.
What happened
The aircraft experienced a stall and subsequently collided with the terrain while in the initial phase of takeoff and climb. The pilot later reported that he had misinterpreted the aerodynamic buffet associated with an impending stall as turbulent airflow caused by crosswind conditions. This misjudgment led to a loss of control, evidenced by the right wing dropping abruptly before the stall fully developed. Additionally, the pilot noted that the aircraft's stall warning system did not activate during the event.
A witness on the ground, identified as a local sheepherder, observed the accident sequence and provided an account suggesting the aircraft attempted to take off into the downwind direction, which may have contributed to the performance issues encountered.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, resulting in a stall, due to his misidentification of stall buffet as crosswind turbulence.