Overview
The airplane had recently undergone an annual inspection, and the pilot planned to fly it back to his home base. After receiving clearance from air traffic control, the pilot initiated the takeoff. The airplane accelerated to a peak groundspeed of 81 knots approximately 2,075 feet down the 4,097-foot runway. Once airborne, the airplane drifted slightly to the right, and the pilot radioed an urgent need to return to the airport. The controller cleared the airplane to land, and no further transmissions were received.
Flight Path and Performance
Flight track data showed that the airplane slowed before turning back toward the left, and its speed continued to decrease throughout the remainder of the data. The final data point recorded a groundspeed of 45 knots. Accounting for a 15-knot headwind, this groundspeed equated to an indicated airspeed of 60 knots. The stall speed chart for the airplane listed the minimum stall speed for any configuration as 64 knots. Based on the stall speed information, recorded winds, and flight track data, the airplane encountered an aerodynamic stall before impacting the ground near the departure end of the runway.
Postaccident Examination
Postaccident examinations of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. External and internal engine damage indicated that the engine was producing power at the time of impact, but the amount of power output could not be determined.
Pilot's Actions
Based on the available information, the pilot perceived an urgent need to return the airplane to the airport; however, due to the amount of damage from the impact and postimpact fire, the reason that the pilot was returning to the airport could not be determined. Since the airplane stalled and impacted the ground before reaching the perimeter of the airport, the pilot may not have had sufficient altitude to execute a forced landing to the empty field off the departure end of the runway.