What happened
On the day of the accident, the crew of N90AG, a Beechcraft King Air (implied by context of takeoff speeds and configuration), prepared for departure following standard procedures. Engine start commenced at 1156 hours, and the aircraft received taxi clearance at 1201 hours. During the taxi phase, the crew performed their pre-takeoff checklists, which included verifying control functionality and assessing the need for anti-ice systems. The pilots had configured the aircraft with Flap 20 and established takeoff speeds of V1 at 137 kt, VR at 140 kt, and V2 at 147 kt.
At 1206 hours, the aircraft was cleared to line up on Runway 15. The takeoff roll proceeded normally under the control of the pilot in the left seat. Rotation began at approximately 146 kt with an 8-degree nose-up elevator input, leading to a lift-off at 153 kt. However, shortly after becoming airborne, the aircraft began a rapid left bank. Within two seconds of lift-off, the bank angle had reached 50 degrees, and the heading had drifted 10 degrees left of the original course.
In an attempt to correct the deviation, the crew applied full right aileron and right rudder. Despite these inputs and increasing the nose-up elevator, the bank angle continued to steepen. The stick-shaker activated 3.5 seconds after lift-off, signaling an impending stall. The aircraft eventually struck the ground in an inverted position near the runway. The impact and subsequent fire caused the total destruction of the aircraft. There were 5 fatalities among the occupants.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a rapid increase in left bank angle immediately following lift-off.
- The crew attempted corrective maneuvers using full right aileron and rudder, but the bank angle continued to increase toward 111 degrees.
- The aircraft entered a stall condition, as evidenced by the activation of the stick-shaker prior to impact.