Stall During Takeoff on Highway Runway

Casualties unknown • Hereford, TX, US

A pilot attempting to take off from a state highway toward a blocking truck pulled up sharply, causing the aircraft to stall and impact the ground.

What happened

The aircraft was conducting a takeoff operation from a state highway. The specific location featured a road segment measuring 2,500 feet in length, at the end of which a truck was positioned, effectively blocking further traffic flow. Despite the obstruction ahead, the pilot elected to initiate the takeoff roll toward the vehicle.

During the acceleration phase, the pilot determined that the aircraft would not be able to clear the truck before reaching it. In response to this realization, the pilot applied significant back pressure to pull up sharply. This abrupt maneuver caused the aircraft to exceed its critical angle of attack. The airplane stalled and subsequently impacted the ground. At the time of impact, the aircraft was in a nose-low, wings-level attitude.

The pilot reported that during the takeoff run, the engine appeared to be operating normally. However, evidence gathered indicated that the pilot had intentionally landed on the road earlier to visit a business associate. In an initial interview, the pilot offered a different explanation for the prior landing, stating that it was necessitated by a rough-running engine that resolved itself once the aircraft was on the ground. The pilot did not file an accident report to provide additional required information.

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to attempt takeoff toward a blocking vehicle and his subsequent sharp pull-up maneuver, which resulted in a stall.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1987-08-03 Stinson 108-3 accident near Hereford, TX?

A pilot attempting to take off from a state highway toward a blocking truck pulled up sharply, causing the aircraft to stall and impact the ground.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1987-08-03 involved a Stinson 108-3, registration N6809M, at Hereford, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's decision to attempt takeoff toward a blocking vehicle and his subsequent sharp pull-up maneuver, which resulted in a stall.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X31807. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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