NTSB Factual Report

On July 2, 2005, about 1040 central daylight time, an amateur-built Yonchak Skybolt, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the ground near the Captain Jack Thomas/El Dorado Airport (EQA), El Dorado, Kansas. The airplane was approaching to land on runway 15 (4,200 feet by 75 feet, concrete) at EQA when the accident occurred. The pilot and passenger received serious injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The local flight originated about 1020.

In a written report, the pilot stated, "I attempted a circle to land maneuver on the approach end of runway [15] at EQA to allow a slower aircraft ahead of me to clear the runway. As I circled to the left and about half way through my turn, the airplane stalled. I opened the throttle and used right rudder to lift the left wing level. Just before impact I cut the throttle to idle and pulled full aft on the stick [control]. The airplane impacted in a flat plane or 'pancake'."

The pilot listed no mechanical problems with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering in the traffic pattern which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor was the low altitude.