Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 175A near Spearfish, SD — 2012-09-25

Final reportCEN12CA658
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Date
2012-09-25
Location
Spearfish, SD, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 175A
Registration
N6979E
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's delayed decision to abandon the landing attempt, which resulted in the airplane colliding with rising terrain.

NTSB narrative

While attempting to land at a private airstrip, the pilot thought the airplane was too fast and too high on the first approach, and he elected to perform a go-around. During the second approach, the airplane encountered a crosswind, and the pilot aborted the landing. He applied takeoff power, lowered the flaps, pitched for a climb, and gained altitude. While maneuvering, the airplane encountered a downdraft and rising terrain. The airplane did not appear to be outclimbing the rising terrain, so the pilot decided to attempt a landing on the terrain. During the landing, the airplane struck a roadway berm, which separated the landing gear. The airplane came to rest upright; the pilot and passenger exited the airplane and noticed a small fire. The pilot attempted to extinguish the fire, but was unsuccessful, and the airplane was consumed by fire. The pilot reported that the airplane did not experience any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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