Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 170 near McKinley Village, AK — 2024-09-17

Final reportANC24LA103
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Date
2024-09-17
Location
McKinley Village, AK, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 170
Registration
N3474C
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s late decision to go-around, failure to maintain proper airspeed, and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at too low of an altitude to recover.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that after a short local flight, he decided to return to the remote airstrip due to deteriorating weather conditions in the area. On the first attempt to land he was too high, and the approach was not stabilized, so he elected to go around. On the second attempt the approach was stabilized, but the airplane floated in ground effect longer than he expected, and he elected to go around again. During the second go around the airplane was unable to clear a 50 ft tall stand of trees at the end of the airstrip, so he initiated a right turn, but he was unable to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. The airplane subsequently settled into an area of tree-covered terrain, sustaining substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported there were no preimpact anomalies or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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