Pilot Debrief

Cessna 172 near Dubois, ID — 2020-02-27

Final reportWPR20CA095
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Date
2020-02-27
Location
Dubois, ID, USA
Airport
U41
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Registration
N7904G
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain a proper airspeed and descent rate while conducting a low pass over a snow-covered runway after encountering a downdraft and the flight instructor's delayed action, which resulted in the wheels contacting the snow and the airplane nosing over.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor reported that, during the instructional flight, the student was making a low pass over the snow-covered runway when the airplane encountered a downdraft that decreased the airspeed and increased the descent rate. The instructor reported that he was too relaxed and should have added power at that moment but didn't. The wheels contacted the snow, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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