What happened
Following takeoff from runway 01, a Piper Super Cub 150 entered a rapid climbing turn. According to a witness, the aircraft's nose pitched up to 80 degrees, causing the left wing to drop. The nose then pitched down, and the aircraft was heard colliding with the ground.
The investigation
An examination of the airframe, engine assembly, accessories, and flight controls revealed no mechanical anomalies. At the time of the event, the flaps were extended 10 degrees. While the gross weight power-off stalling speed for this aircraft type is 43 mph with full flaps, the stalling speed increases by approximately 4 mph when flaps are retracted. A review of the Piper Flight Test Manual for the PA-18-150 provided no specific test data regarding operations conducted with 10 degrees of flaps.
Findings
Post-accident toxicology results showed the presence of Tetrahydrocannabinol (Marihuana) in the blood at a concentration of 0.004 ug/ml, as well as an unspecified amount of Tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid. Additionally, Tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid was detected in the liver at a concentration of 0.0106 ug/ml.