Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172 near Zephyrhills, FL — 2023-12-07

Final reportERA24LA059
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Date
2023-12-07
Location
Zephyrhills, FL, USA
Airport
ZPH
Aircraft
CESSNA 172
Registration
N906KS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

An aerodynamic stall from which the pilots did not recover while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern.

NTSB narrative

A student pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings with his flight instructor. An airport surveillance video showed the airplane flying about 50 ft above ground level in a nose high, left wing low attitude. The left bank continued to steepen, the airplane’s nose pitched downward, and the airplane began descending steeply toward the ground in a manner consistent with the airplane entering an aerodynamic stall. Due to their injuries, the student pilot could not recall what occurred during the third touch-and-go landing, while the flight instructor was unable to provide any recollection of the flight. Examination of the airplane did not reveal evidence of any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Based on the available information, it is likely that the airplane encountered an aerodynamic stall from which the pilots did not recover while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Student pilot could have aborted the landing during the third touch-and-go.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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