Pilot Debrief

ROCKWELL 112 near Three Points, AZ — 2021-10-17

Final reportWPR22FA012
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Date
2021-10-17
Location
Three Points, AZ, USA
Airport
RYN
Aircraft
ROCKWELL 112
Registration
N112LS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and the airplane entering an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting a personal training flight for an upcoming flight review. Flight track data revealed that shortly after departure the airplane conducted multiple 180° turns above a road then entered two clearing-turns before conducting multiple steep turns. The airplane then headed southwest and then southeast as airspeed slowed to about 60 kts. The data showed that, about 3,800 ft agl, the airplane’s airspeed slowed to about 50 kts and entered a steep descending left turn. The airplane’s airspeed most likely dropped below stall speed during the slow flight maneuver and the pilot was unable to recover before impact. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The flap and landing gear configuration were not determined during the investigation due to the impact and thermal damage.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided steep descending left turn to maintain control.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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