No fatalities

13 Apr 2011: CESSNA T188C — Dale Schoepflin — Palouse, WA

Palouse, WA, United States

On 13 Apr 2011, a CESSNA T188C operated by Dale Schoepflin was involved in an aviation accident near Palouse, WA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the wind conditions at takeoff and failure to maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall and collision with terrain during the initial climb. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

The pilot reported engine normal during run up and takeoff, within weight and balance. Departure runway had upslope and rising terrain; light tail wind. Airplane settled, stalled after nose-up pitch, nosed over inverted with substantial damage.

Accident Details

The pilot reported that the engine performed normally during the run up and takeoff. The airplane was within weight and balance limitations at the time of departure. The departure runway featured an upslope, and the departure corridor was characterized by rising terrain. Witnesses observed a light tail wind during the departure.

Sequence of Events

The airplane became airborne but subsequently began to settle. In an attempt to clear the terrain at the end of the runway, the pilot pitched the nose upward. This maneuver led to an aerodynamic stall, and the airplane impacted the terrain approximately 500 feet beyond the departure end of the runway.

Damage

Upon impact, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airframe and wings sustained substantial damage.

Contributing factors

Causes

Angle of attack — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on operationResponse/compensation