Narrative:The Volpar Turboliner II cargo plane took off from Memphis International Airport, TN (MEM), bound for Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport, KY (CVG).
After takeoff the pilot was told by the Tower controller that the tail stand, used to prevent aircraft from tipping on tail when loaded, was still attached to the aircraft. The pilot requested a teardrop turn back to the departure runway. The aircraft was returning to runway 36R when it stalled. Recovery was attempted but the aircraft impacted the ground prior to completion of level off. The aircraft was 379 lb over maximum takeoff weight and cg was at least 3 inch forward of the limit. No record of a load manifest was found.
The pilot in command had low PIC experience and received 2.7 documented flight hours with the operator's instructor pilot including his 135 competency check ride of 1.1 hours. The operator's initial training certification showed 5 hours of flight training.
The aircraft, a Volpar Turboliner II cargo plane, was a stretched turbine conversion of a Beechcraft SNB-5 Navigator (Redesignated TC-45J in 1962) that was operated by the US Navy.
Probable Cause:
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
airspeed(vs)..not maintained..pilot in command
stall..inadvertent..pilot in command
Contributing Factors:
aircraft preflight..inadequate..pilot in command
aircraft weight and balance..not performed..pilot in command
lack of total experience in type of aircraft..pilot in command
inadequate initial training..company/operator management
diverted attention..pilot in command
Accident investigation:
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Investigating agency: | NTSB |
Status: | Investigation completed |
Duration: | 1 year and 7 months | Accident number: | ATL88FA007 | Download report: | Summary report
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Classification:
Flightcrew un(der)qualified
Loss of control
Sources:
» NTSB
Photos
accident date:
08-10-1987type: Volpar Turboliner II
registration: N9231
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Memphis International Airport, TN to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport, KY as the crow flies is 644 km (402 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.