Aviation Accident Summary LAX90LA078

INYOKERN, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N12528

CESSNA 172

Analysis

THE FLT WAS ENGAGED IN A BALLOON POPPING CONTEST. AN APCH WAS MADE TO THE CONTEST AREA AT ABOUT 200' AGL, WITH SLOW AIRSPEED & THE FLAPS EXTENDED. THE PLT-IN-COMMAND (PIC) SAW A BALLOON TO HIS LEFT & MANEUVERED TO CHASE THE BALLOON. WHILE MANEUVERING, THE ACFT BEGAN TO SETTLE & THE PIC WAS UNABLE TO ARREST THE DESCENT BEFORE GROUND CONTACT.

Probable Cause and Findings

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (PIC), AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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