What happened
During an initial climb phase departing from Waco-Madison Cooper Airport, the pilot experienced mechanical issues with the aircraft. Following these complications, air traffic control authorized an emergency return to the airfield. However, within seconds of receiving clearance, the pilot lost control of the aircraft type (unspecified model), which resulted in a crash several miles away from the airport perimeter.
The impact caused the total destruction of the plane. The pilot, who was the only person on board at the time of the accident, sustained serious injuries during the event.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several critical contributing factors related to the flight's preparation and execution. A primary factor was that the pilot failed to keep the aircraft at a sufficient flying speed while climbing after takeoff.
Additional findings included:
- Deficiencies in preflight inspection and preparation
- An improperly loaded weight and balance configuration
- The center of gravity (CofG) being positioned 3.38 inches beyond the rear limit
Improperly loaded aircraft and an out-of-limit center of gravity were central to the loss of control.