Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary GAA19CA407

Montville, ME, USA

Aircraft #1

N1516E

Cessna 172

Analysis

The pilot reported that he had performed a practice candy drop pass over a field about 300 ft above ground level. He then initiated a climbing 30º banked, right turn to circle back to the field and "neglected [the] airspeed," and the airplane aerodynamically stalled, descended, struck trees, and impacted the ground inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual Information

The pilot reported that, he had performed a practice candy drop pass over a field about 300 ft above the ground. During the climbing 30º banked right turn to circle back to the field, he "neglected [the] airspeed" and the airplane aerodynamically stalled, descended striking trees, and impacted the ground inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a low-altitude climbing turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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