What happened
During a night flight intended for training purposes, an aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Madison Airport. The pilot had been operating the aircraft for approximately three hours prior to the accident. Following a successful landing and subsequent preparation for a new departure, the pilot increased engine power to begin another takeoff attempt. During the initial climb phase, the aircraft experienced a left bank before entering a stall. The impact resulted in a fire that completely destroyed the airframe.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several critical issues contributing to the loss of control during the climb. A primary factor was the partial loss of power on one engine. Several other operational failures were noted, including:
- The pilot failed to maintain sufficient airspeed during the climb
- Fuel starvation occurred because the aircraft had not been refueled before the flight
- The pilot had operated on the main fuel tank for 2.8 hours
- Inadequate preflight preparations
- Issues related to pilot fatigue and physical impairment
- Improper management of fuel levels