The Stinson 108 pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll at the airport in Eliza Island, Washington, he had difficulty staying on the runway.
In a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator in charge, he added that, while airborne, the airplane aerodynamically stalled into brush off the end of the runway.
The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, sustaining substantial damage to the left wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The automated weather observation station located about nine miles to the north-northwest reported that that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 170° at 8 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The airplane departed the southeast runway.
Probable cause: The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
NTSB Identification: GAA18CA237
This April 2018 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.