No fatalities

18 May 2017: CGS HAWK — Findlay, OH

Findlay, OH, United States

On 18 May 2017, a CGS HAWK was involved in an aviation accident near Findlay, OH. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A tailwheel airplane stalled and impacted the ground during takeoff after the pilot encountered gusty winds while low and slow. The right wing sustained substantial damage.

Accident Overview

A tailwheel-equipped airplane experienced an aerodynamic stall and subsequent ground impact during takeoff. The pilot reported that the wind became gusty and exceeded his ability to maintain control while the airplane was at a low altitude and slow airspeed.

Aircraft Damage

The accident resulted in substantial damage to the right wing of the airplane. The pilot stated that there were no pre-existing mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have prevented normal operation.

Weather Conditions

Data from an automated weather observation station located approximately 5 nautical miles west of the accident airport indicated that, about 42 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 200 degrees at 18 knots, gusting to 28 knots. The specific takeoff direction was not recorded.

Pilot Report

The pilot attributed the loss of control to the wind becoming more gusty than he could handle while the airplane was too low and slow. The ensuing aerodynamic stall led to the impact with the ground.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotCapability exceededAirspeed — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Effect on equipment