Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172S near Chesterfield, MO — 2016-09-19

Final reportCEN16LA379
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Date
2016-09-19
Location
Chesterfield, MO, USA
Airport
SUS
Aircraft
CESSNA 172S
Registration
N52265
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Go-around

Probable cause

The pilot's unstable approach and subsequent loss of airplane control during an attempted go-around.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was performing a night visual approach for landing. A witness on the ground, who was a flight instructor, stated that the airplane's approach was "very unstable" and "erratic," and that the airplane's nose pitched up and down as the pilot made "large power adjustments." He stated that the airplane then began a go-around, which he also described as "unstable." The airplane subsequently descended and impacted terrain. Examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the approach earlier to avoid instability.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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