On July 14, 1991, a Beech B19 (registration N24576) operated by Wayne O. & Lois M. Bozarth was involved in an aviation accident near Bend, OR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, resulting in a stall shortly after lift-off. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane rotated normally but lost airspeed at 30-40 feet, settling back onto the runway with witnesses reporting a 25-degree angle of attack.
What happened
During the initial phase of flight, the aircraft lifted off the runway and achieved an altitude between 30 and 40 feet. Witnesses observed that the angle of attack increased significantly to approximately 25 degrees as the plane left the ground. Shortly after reaching this height, the airspeed decreased rapidly. The airplane then settled back onto the runway surface before it could reach the end of the paved area. As the aircraft descended, the nose dropped sharply, accompanied by a drop in the right wing position.
The investigation
Investigation of the event focused on the flight dynamics and witness accounts regarding the takeoff performance. Observers noted the unusual angle of attack during the rotation phase. The mechanical condition of the aircraft was reviewed to determine if any systems contributed to the loss of airspeed immediately after liftoff.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, resulting in a stall shortly after lift-off.