Accident Overview
A scheduled training flight for two pilots to become familiar with the CV-880 ended in a crash shortly after takeoff. The pilot-trainee occupied the left seat, with a qualified instructor-pilot in the right seat. Immediately after liftoff, the aircraft assumed an extremely nose-high attitude and banked steeply to the left. It then rolled to a vertical right bank, the nose dropped, and the aircraft struck the ground and caught fire. All four crew members, the only occupants, sustained fatal injuries.
Flight Details
The flight was intended as a checkout for two pilots transitioning to the CV-880. The aircraft carried no passengers. The accident occurred during the initial climb phase, moments after leaving the runway.
Accident Sequence
According to the investigation, the aircraft's nose rose sharply and it banked left soon after becoming airborne. The bank angle increased until the aircraft reached a vertical right bank. At that point, the nose fell through, leading to an uncontrolled descent and impact with terrain. The post-crash fire consumed the wreckage.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be the stalling of the aircraft, for reasons undetermined, at an altitude too low to effect recovery. No further causal factors were identified.