Pilot Debrief

Cessna 177 near Torrance, CA — 2019-09-19

Final reportWPR19FA262
Sign in to save
Date
2019-09-19
Location
Torrance, CA, USA
Airport
TOA
Aircraft
Cessna 177
Registration
N2323Y
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and exceedance of the aircraft's critical angle of attack while turning during climb out, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor and his passenger departed for a work flight that tested radar in an airplane that was near its maximum weight limit. Videos of the accident flight showed that the airplane took off from the runway, climbed out, appeared to level off for a few seconds, then entered a right bank turn. After about 90° of turn, the airplane banked sharply to the right and entered a steep nose-down descent. The airplane impacted a building about 3/4 mile east of the airport. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. A video of the accident flight and impact markings at the accident site were consistent with the airplane entering an aerodynamic stall then steeply descending to the ground. It is likely that the pilot failed to maintain airspeed during the turn, which resulted in an exceedance of the aircraft's critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. Toxicology testing of the pilot’s specimens detected low concentrations of ethanol and diphenhydramine that generally would not be considered impairing.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the flight during initial climb after leveling off.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • 9 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents9

Related mishaps