Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 150G near Cavanaugh Bay, ID — 2011-08-23

Final reportWPR11FA404
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Date
2011-08-23
Location
Cavanaugh Bay, ID, USA
Airport
K66S
Aircraft
CESSNA 150G
Registration
N2870S
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an attempt to execute a go-around with a tailwind condition, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he recalled making a normal approach to a grass strip runway with a known 8- to 10-knot tailwind, but he did not remember the accident itself. One of two witnesses reported that the airplane appeared to be flying slower than normal on final approach, and both reported seeing the airplane begin to go around and hearing the engine at high power. The airplane then pitched up into a nose high attitude and entered a rapid descent consistent with an aerodynamic stall and spin. The airplane wreckage was located 150 yards from the boundary of the grass strip, resting on its nose, with the tail oriented vertically. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the approach due to tailwind and tree obstacles.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents8

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