Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 177A near Sauk Centre, MN — 2014-06-06

Final reportCEN14LA279
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Date
2014-06-06
Location
Sauk Centre, MN, USA
Airport
D39
Aircraft
CESSNA 177A
Registration
N30537
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to retract the flaps after beginning the go-around.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, after a bounced landing, he added full power and began a go-around. The airspeed was insufficient to climb the airplane, and it began descending and banking in an uncommanded left turn. The pilot applied right rudder and pulled back on the yoke as far as he could, but the airplane nosed down, impacted terrain, and came to rest inverted. An examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The Pilot's Operating Handbook stated that, in the event of a go-around, the pilot should promptly reduce the flaps to 20 degrees then accelerate to 75 mph and slowly retract the flaps to the full-up position. Photos taken soon after the accident showed that the flaps were still fully extended. The uncommanded bank and pitch down is indicative of an aerodynamic stall.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not reduce flaps during go-around as per checklist guidance.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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