Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 182 near Elk River, ID — 2016-06-01

Final reportGAA16CA271
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Date
2016-06-01
Location
Elk River, ID, USA
Airport
ID85
Aircraft
CESSNA 182
Registration
N21242
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot exceeded the critical angle of attack during takeoff which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during takeoff with a tailwind, about 20-30 feet above the ground, the airplane aerodynamically stalled then impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration has published the Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3A (2004). This handbook discusses stalls and states in part: The key to stall awareness is the pilot's ability to visualize the wing's angle of attack in any particular circumstance, and thereby be able to estimate his/her margin of safety above stall. This is a learned skill that must be acquired early in flight training and carried through the pilot's entire flying career. The pilot must understand and appreciate factors such as airspeed, pitch attitude, load factor, relative wind, power setting, and aircraft configuration in order to develop a reasonably accurate mental picture of the wing's angle of attack at any particular time. It is essential to flight safety that a pilot takes into consideration this visualization of the wing's angle of attack prior to entering any flight maneuver. Stall accidents usually result from an inadvertent stall at a low altitude in which a recovery was not accomplished prior to contact with the surface.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have recognized stall risk during takeoff with tailwind.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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