Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 177 near McDonough, NY — 2016-08-08

Final reportERA16LA286
Sign in to save
Date
2016-08-08
Location
McDonough, NY, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 177
Registration
N30923
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper recovery from a slow flight configuration at low altitude, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate at low altitude.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot was conducting a personal sightseeing flight with three passengers to view a local landmark. The pilot completed two flyovers uneventfully. The passengers then asked him to fly over a third time at a slower speed. The pilot fully extended the flaps in preparation for the next flyover. During the flyover, the pilot noted that the airplane was slow and had descended to an altitude near the tops of the trees. He applied full engine power and fully retracted the flaps. The airplane nosed down and impacted trees and terrain. The pilot and passengers subsequently egressed the airplane before it was consumed by a postimpact fire. Extensive thermal damage precluded a detailed examination of the airframe or engine for mechanical malfunctions; however, witness and passenger statements and initial statements provided by the pilot did not indicate any preimpact mechanical anomalies. It is likely that, while performing the flyover at the passengers' request, the pilot became distracted, allowing the airplane to descend and its airspeed to decay. Once the pilot recognized the situation, his response of adding engine power then immediately and fully retracting the flaps while attempting to gain altitude resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and subsequent aerodynamic stall.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided low altitude maneuvering near trees.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

Related mishaps