Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary FTW03LA116

Tulsa, OK, USA

Aircraft #1

N6947X

Cessna 172B

Analysis

The single-engine airplane stalled during the landing flare/touchdown, bounced into the air, then touched down again, nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot stated that he let the airplane get to slow on the approach and it could have been prevented by "receiving more dual training on crosswind/gusts, short field landings, also recovery from slow flight stalls."

Factual Information

On March 26, 2003, approximately 1630 central standard time, a Cessna 172B single-engine airplane, N6947X, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing the airplane at the Harvey Young Airport (1H6), Tulsa, Oklahoma. The airplane was owned by a private individual and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed the Harvey Young Airport, approximately 1612, and entered the downwind pattern for touch and go landings on the grass runway 17. The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that during the second landing, the pilot reported that he "felt the airplane sink and the stall warning horn sound". The pilot added full power, and the airplane touched down on the runway with the left main landing gear and nose landing gear, bounced into the air, and the pilot retarded the throttle. Subsequently, the airplane touched down on the runway with the right main landing gear and nose landing gear and nosed over coming to rest inverted. The pilot further reported that he let the airplane get to slow and stalled the airplane above the touchdown point. The pilot stated in the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 under the Recommendation (How This Accident Could Have Been Prevented) section: "receive more dual training on crosswind/gusts, short field landings, also recovery from slow flight stalls." The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, found the left wing strut, vertical stabilizer, and rudder bent. The propeller, engine cowling, windshield, nose landing gear, and fuselage skin were found damaged. At 1553, the local weather observation facility at the Tulsa International Airport (TUL), located approximately 5 miles northwest of 1H6, reported the wind from 190 degrees at 11 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 25,000 feet, temperature 21 degrees Celsius, dew point 01 degrees Celsius, and the altimeter 29.91 inches of Mercury. The pilot reported that the wind was from 190 degrees at 11 knots with gusts to 15 knots at the time of the accident.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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