Pilot Debrief

Cessna 172 near Yakima, WA — 2020-04-20

Final reportWPR20CA125
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Date
2020-04-20
Location
Yakima, WA, USA
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Registration
N75765
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to attain sufficient altitude during a go-around, which resulted in impact with hilly terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he chose to conduct a low approach over the private airstrip to familiarize himself with it and then go around. He approached the airstrip from the north and entered the left base leg. After turning onto final, the airplane was on a stabilized approach. About 20 ft above ground level, he applied full power, pitched the nose up, and retracted the flaps. The airplane would not gain altitude and was quickly approaching the uphill elevation of the airstrip. The airplane narrowly cleared the hill at the end of the airstrip but continued to lose altitude. The airplane impacted terrain, went over an embankment, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The fuselage and wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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