LAX04CA010

Factual narrative

On October 11, 2003, about 1145 Pacific daylight time, an Avions Max Holste MH 1521 Broussard, N239HL, stalled during takeoff from Gillespie Field (SEE), El Cajon, California. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed. The personal flight, en route to San Felipe, Mexico, was originating at the time of the accident. In a written statement the pilot reported that he was number 3 for takeoff, with seven airplanes waiting behind him. He did an expedited takeoff, rather than his usual takeoff procedures of lining up on the centerline and releasing the brakes after reaching 2,500 rpm. The initial takeoff roll was normal. After approximately 3 seconds, the pilot applied forward stick to raise the tail. After 5 seconds, the tail was still on the ground. He then moved his left hand to the stick so that he could use his right hand to apply nose down trim. However, before he could apply it, the airplane ballooned about 8 feet into the air. As it recontacted the ground, the airplane bounced, and the right wing stalled. The right wing impacted the ground, followed by the left main gear, and then the left wing tip. The propeller contacted the ground as the left main gear hit, and the engine stopped. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane and reported that "additional nose down trim" could have prevented the accident. In a telephone conversation, the pilot reported that he took off prior to reaching takeoff airspeed and stalled the airplane. The airplane stalled during the takeoff initial climb. After an expedited takeoff and 3 seconds into the takeoff roll, the pilot applied forward stick to raise the tail. After 5 seconds, the tail was still on the ground. He then moved his left hand to the stick so that he could use his right hand to apply nose down trim. However, before he could apply it and prior to attaining takeoff airspeed, the airplane ballooned about 8 feet into the air. As it recontacted the ground, the airplane bounced and the right wing stalled. The right wing impacted the ground, followed by the left main gear, and then the left wing tip. The propeller contacted the ground as the left main gear hit, and the engine stopped. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane. The pilot reported that he took off prior to reaching takeoff airspeed and stalled the airplane. He felt that additional nose down trim could have prevented the accident. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12