Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172M near Velma, OK — 2010-11-24

Final reportCEN11LA082
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Date
2010-11-24
Location
Velma, OK, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 172M
Registration
N4428Q
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's relative inexperience in pipeline patrols.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the pilot's relative inexperience in pipeline patrols.

NTSB narrative

The pilot had been flying pipeline patrol for approximately 4 months and had no previous pipeline patrol experience. According to witnesses, the pilot was circling and attempting to guide a ground crew to a pipeline leak. He made four complete circles around the leak and, on the fifth circle, the airplane rolled into a hard left turn. The nose of the airplane dropped, and the airplane struck power lines during the ensuing uncontrolled descent. An examination of the airplane’s structure, engine, and systems revealed no anomalies. Recorded weather observations and witness reports indicated gusting wind in the area of the accident site.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided tight circles and maintained altitude to prevent stall.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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