Lockheed 12A | N93R

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot extended the flaps to the full position after engine start for the purpose of generating minimum prop blast towards public viewers who were assembled on the ramp for a special event. The PIC failed to retract the flaps to the full retracted position prior to takeoff, and then failed to reject the takeoff when the aircraft became light at an unexpected and premature point. The aircraft climbed in a full flap, extreme nose up condition and then stalled, rolling left and impacting in a near vertical flight path.

Probable Cause issued 8/26/2026 – 26 months after the accident: The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude insufficient for recovery. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to ensure that the airplane was properly configured for takeoff.

The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft confirm all flight control positions and proper response prior to takeoff, both using a checklist and visually to ensure that the all are responsive and set in the proper position for takeoff.