Pilot Debrief

Cessna 172 near Pella, IA — 2019-03-26

Final reportGAA19CA193
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Date
2019-03-26
Location
Pella, IA, USA
Airport
PEA
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Registration
N7127G
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action during landing, which resulted in the instructor landing the airplane in grass left of the runway and a subsequent nose-over.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor reported that, during the landing with the student pilot on the flight controls, about 5 to 10 ft above the ground, a wind gust caused the airplane to drift right. The instructor assumed control of the airplane, attempted to correct, applied full power, and initiated a go-around. The instructor stated that the airplane was "low and slow," and the left main landing gear contacted the runway, and the airplane drifted left. Concerned the airplane would not gain significant altitude to clear the buildings in the flightpath, the instructor chose to land in the grass left of the runway. Subsequently, the airplane encountered soft terrain and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft fuselage and rudder. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. About the time of the accident, the airport's automated weather observation station reported that the wind was from 170° at 5 knots. The student was landing the airplane on runway 16.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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